Chapter 10

The bright, florescent lights hurt his eyes as Draco awoke. It took only seconds for him to realize he was at St. Mungo's, and despite the pain in his head, he bolted upright. All thoughts were on Hermione. Where was she? Was she safe? How could he have failed her? Then he saw her asleep by his bed. Draco finally breathed.

It wasn't long before Hermione woke, and upon realizing that Draco had regained consciousness, had her arms wrapped around him in a Molly Weasley-style, bone crushing hug. "Oh thank God," she murmured.

"What the hell happened?" he wondered, holding her close.

Pulling away, she sat down by his side. "I don't know," she admitted. "I went into the office, and then I heard a crash. I Stupefied Blaise before he could do anything to me. You were out cold, though. I called Harry, and as soon as his team arrived, I brought you here. The healers deduced that it was a very powerful stunning charm that caused you to lose consciousness, but you'll be alright."

"You're okay though?" he asked, staring at their hands as Hermione grasped his. She assured him that she hadn't been hurt, which put his mind at ease. "Any news from Potter? Before I blacked out, Blaise said he was there on business. Any idea who he might be working for, or a motive from coming after us on his own?"

With a tired sigh, she shook her head. "They've been interrogating him for hours," she said. "Harry said he'd let me know when they found out anything useful, but he hasn't come by at all."

"I wonder if I'm sacked," he muttered.

Hermione moved closer, and Draco put his arm around her shoulders. "You were wounded on the job, and aided in the capture of a suspect in my case," she stated. "There are no fireable offenses in your actions."

But Draco saw the day's events differently. "If you were anyone but you, who knows what could have happened," he said. "Blaise could have kidnapped you. You could dead. Failing you is the fireable offense."

"You didn't fail me," she insisted. Sitting up, she turned to face him, and with only a split-second's hesitation, kissed him for the first time.

As much as he wanted it, he knew it was wrong. Draco let himself enjoy her kiss for only a moment before pulling away. "I can't do this," he told her. Hermione vacated the bed, and watched silently as he gathered his thoughts. "I'm supposed to be a professional. I'm not supposed to get attached. Maintaining distance is one of the first things you learn in training. If Potter found out-"

"You'd be fired," Hermione finished for him. "I'm sorry I kissed you. It won't happen again."

Try as he might to reason with her, Hermione was no longer in the mood for conversation. They sat in silence until he was discharged and returned to her flat. Ron waited in the living room while a team of Aurors guarded the shop. "Harry wants you moved, Hermione," he announced. "You'll be staying at the Burrow for the time being."

"That seems unlikely," Hermione retorted. "What did you find out from Zabini?"

"We always believed he had no ties to Voldemort," Ron explained, sitting down on the sofa. "I don't recall him taking the mark or participating in the battle. However, and after a lot of Veritaserum, he revealed he's been working with Dolohov. We both know Dolohov's had it out for you since the Department of Mysteries. Blaise's connection to him, though, I don't know."

Draco cleared his throat. "Dolohov's been sleeping with his mother for the last decade," he told them. "He's been like a father to Blaise. He's a cruel, sadistic, torturous bastard, but he was always good to the Zabinis."

Processing this new information, Ron nodded before continuing. "Anyhow, Harry and I think it's better if the two of you are separated," he said. "You've become just as big a target as Hermione, and in order to ensure your safety, this is his decision. You're free to return home, Malfoy."

He left then, and the flat fell into silence. Hermione watched as Draco packed his belongings. "You should be doing the same," he advised. "Who knows how long you'll be with the Weasleys."

"I'm not going to the Burrow," Hermione informed him. "I've lived with Molly Weasley before. If Dolohov doesn't kill me, I might just off myself."

"You're just going to disobey The Chosen One's orders?" Draco asked.

Hermione shrugged as she sat down beside his bags. "Last I checked, I can take care of myself," she replied. "Besides, he's only doing this to separate us. Heaven forbid he see that you're good at your job."

With a heavy sigh, he took the seat beside her. "What if I'm not?" he wondered. "I've put you in harm's way twice. I've done nothing to help with the investigation. Maybe it would be better if someone else took over."

There was nothing to be said. She could argue until she was blue in the face, but Draco was just as stubborn as she. If he wanted to be reassigned, he would see to it that it happened. Harry would certainly be happy to delight in Draco's perceived failures. Instead of pursuing the conversation, she asked, "Am I allowed to go downstairs?"

Draco looked up as she stood. "I don't know," he murmured. Turning on her heel, she left without a word. Glancing at his half-packed bags, he shook his head and followed her. Entering her office, he grabbed her arm before she could sit. "Hermione, wait. Look, you're my first...my only priority. I care about you so much, and I never want to see you hurt. I'm sorry if I upset you."

Hermione turned and removed his hand from her arm, but she didn't let it go. "It's crazy, right?" she said. "We spent seven years hating one another, and in the course of a month, we don't want to let each other walk away. Maybe there is something to not getting attached to a job."

His free hand caressed her cheek. "You're not a job," he murmured, brushing his lips against hers. "You trust me, right? Will you come somewhere with me?"

Still dazed by his kiss, it took Hermione a moment to comprehend what he asked. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" she wondered.

"You'll be safe," he assured her, holding her close. "You heard Weasley. I'm free to go home. You have no interest in going to the Burrow. No one would think to look for you at my place. I can protect you, and you could take a little break from this place."

"You'll at least tell Harry?" she asked. Receiving the confirmation she needed, Hermione agreed. "Let's go."