Tick… Tick… Tick… Tick…

The same aggravating sound hit Draco's ears like a hammer on a nail, over and over and over again… He thought he was going to go mad.

Arthur had gone home when Harry and Ginny arrived, just moments after Hermione had been taken away. While their company gave him some comfort, he was still scared beyond belief – a feeling he was not at all used to. According to Ginny, Charlie had elected to stay behind with the family to keep an eye on Ron – although Draco would have liked to be there as well, he was satisfied enough in knowing that the only other man who cared for Hermione in the same way he did was watching over that maniac.

Hours had passed since Hermione had been taken to the emergency room and they had still heard nothing. Ginny and Harry sat across from Draco, exchanging concerned looks as they worried for Hermione, and no matter what they said, the distress that was so clear on his face was unmoving, his stony expression unbreakable.

"…I love her…"

Thinking back to his earlier admission, Draco was shocked by how easy it was for him to say those words, much less to Arthur Weasley, a man whom he barely knew. Love never played a significant factor in his life – something he believed was a large reason for his cruelty as a child. His father was merciless, distant, and, although Lucius may have believed his style of parenting to demonstrate some 'advanced', 'dignified' form of love, he was nothing more than a hateful coward who would have had his son killed for a chance at something better. Draco's mother was just as detached - the motherly instincts that were so clear in the Weasley matriarch not at all present in his own… She wasn't hateful, per se, but she never did anything to show him that he mattered, and while Draco wanted to believe that she loved him, it was never a love strong enough for her to act upon. Had he not turned on his family and earned Dumbledore's protection all those years ago, he wasn't sure what would have become of him…

For the longest time, he never thought love was something he was capable of. In fact, he thought it confusing, stupid, weak, and he remembered mocking those who fell prey to its spell. It wasn't until Dumbledore showed him mercy, kindness, and compassion that he realized he had more than hate and anger to offer. Even then, it was only after his time with Harry, Ginny… Hermione… that he realized that real love was not only possible, but something he greatly desired.

In the short span of time that they had been together, Hermione had already made his life more than it had ever been – completely and irrevocably happy...

"Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco's head jerked up out of his hands as he heard his name. "Yes? What? How is she? Can I see her?"

"She's going to be just fine," the mediwizard smiled. "The trauma to her head caused a hairline fracture in the back of her skull. There was some cerebral hemorrhaging and it took us a while to stabilize her heart, but luckily, you got her here in time for us to fix it without problem. Had you waited… well, in any case, she should be up in a few hours. If you'd like to see her, y-"

The mediwizard's last words were muffled by Draco's chest as he hugged the stout man for all he was worth.

"Thank you. Thank you so much- oh, er. Sorry."

The mediwizard chuckled and patted Draco on the shoulder as he awkwardly released his grip. "Go on, then. She'll be waiting for you."

Draco looked over his shoulder towards Harry and Ginny who were hugging each other fiercely, relief plain on their faces as they turned back at Draco.

"You go in first. We'll pop to the Burrow to let everyone know she's okay. If she wakes up, tell her we'll be there as soon as we can," Harry smiled as he squeezed Ginny's hand.

Draco nodded and gave his friend a grateful smile before he turned on his heel and sprinted away.


It's so dark… Ugh… Where am I?

"Hermione?"

Draco?

"Hermione, love…"

Draco, it's so good to hear your voice… Mm, your hands are so warm… Can you hear me?… Wait, what- what happened… Last night… the dinner… RON!

Hermione's eyes snapped open – an action she immediately regretted. The bright lights in the room caused white spots to dance in her vision, temporarily blinded her.

"Draco..?"

"Hermione!"

Draco's face swam in to view, his arctic grey eyes sparkling with happiness as his name passed her lips.

"What time is it..?"

"It's 6 in the morning. Thank goodness you're awake, we've all been so worried-"

"Draco… are you alright?"

A stunned look crossed his face. "Am I alright? Darling, do you remember what happened?"

Hermione screwed her eyes shut as her awareness started to sink in and a sharp throbbing pain spiked at the back of her head. Noticing her expression, Draco walked towards the nearby table and brought back a steaming goblet of a light blue potion.

"For the pain," he said, bringing the cup gently to her lips. As she drained the minty liquid, the pain in her body began to dull and, after a few moments, it dissipated completely.

"Thank you," Hermione sighed gratefully as she sat up against the headboard, her skin returning to its natural warm, golden colour. "Now, what were you saying?"

"The dinner…" Draco started, placing the cup down on the table. "Do you remember what happened?"

Hermione's brow furrowed as she thought back to the events of the evening. "Ron attacked you!"

"Yes, and like a mad woman, you jumped to put yourself in the way of the spell," Draco said, a hint of anger in his voice. "How could you have done something so reckless?"

"Reckless?" Hermione retorted, her fiery attitude coming back now that she was regaining her strength. "Reckless! I did it to protect you-"

"But what if it had been an Unforgivable, Hermione? What if you had been even more seriously hurt-"

"Me? What if YOU had been hurt! I wasn't going to just stand by and watch-"

"I wasn't saying that-"

"And you, calling me bloody reckless-"

"Okay, Hermione, you've just woken up, please, you need to relax-"

"You think I'll just stand in the background like a cowardly-"

"No, of course not, Hermione-"

"Well then how could you call me reckless!-"

"Because I LOVE you and the thought of losing you is too much for me to bear!"

Hermione's breath caught in her throat.

"W-what?"

Draco sighed and moved to sit on the edge of Hermione's bed, taking her hand in his as his platinum hair fell in front of his smoky eyes.

"Hermione… I'm sorry I called you reckless, that wasn't the right word to use. Of course you're perfectly capable of defending yourself - you're the most brilliant and powerful witch I have ever met. What I meant was that- it's just… seeing you get hurt was one of the worst things I've ever had to witness, and waiting to hear how you were, whether or not you would be okay… I know it's not been very long, but already I can't stand the thought of losing you… and if it was ever because of an accident – a curse or hex that was initially meant for me – well… I could never live with myself."

Draco looked up to see Hermione's eyes shining with unshed tears.

"I love you, Hermione… It's as simple as that. I understand if it's too soon, but-"

Hermione let out a wet laugh as she sniffled.

"I love you, too."

Draco's heart leapt in his chest as she uttered those 3 most beautiful words to him. "You love me?"

"Of course. Why else would I have been so reckless?" she smiled as she grabbed hold of his collar and pulled him towards her for a searing kiss.


Over the next few hours, visitors came and went. Harry and Ginny returned to shower Hermione with hugs and sweets; The Weasley elders arrived somberly, Mrs. Weasley flooding with tears when Hermione assured them that they were not to blame for what had happened; Bill, Fred, and George also stopped by for a short visit, letting her know that they were keeping a very watchful eye on Ron.

Draco sat by her bedside throughout it all. It was only when Charlie finally knocked on the door that he gave her an understanding smile and stood, nodding to Charlie briefly before he walked past him out of the room.

"Hi," Hermione said in a small voice as she pulled at the frayed ends of her blanket. "You look exhausted."

"You're the one in hospital and you're worried about me?" Charlie barked out a bitter laugh. "Typical Hermione, always worrying about others before herself," he said, a gentle sparkle in his eye as he moved hesitantly forward. "May I?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded, gesturing towards an empty stool near the bed.

As Charlie took a seat and scooted closer, a silence fell over the room. His eyes were fixed upon the floor for what felt like an eternity before he looked up to meet Hermione's gaze.

"Are you alright?"

Hermione gave him a sad smile. "Physically? I'll be fine. Mentally? Emotionally? Quite tired, actually."

Charlie laughed a quiet, dry laugh as his cornflower blue eyes continued to search hers. "I'm sorry for all of this."

"Don't be," Hermione said in a voice that echoed his own.

Reaching over to take his rough, calloused palm in hers, she squeezed his hand gently, as if trying to convey her sadness and empathy through a single touch.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, looking at him intently. "To have to come back to this… After being away for so long, and betrayed by your own brother… it's just… I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Charlie replied, mimicking her earlier words. "Ron may have stirred all this up again, but it's my own fault I waited too long. It was stupid of me to think that I would have so much time, as if there would be no other wizard who would notice how wonderful you are."

He paused to admire the slight blush that tinted Hermione's cheeks.

"I'm going to miss that."

At his words, Hermione paused. "You're not going to stay?"

"I don't know," Charlie replied after a moment's hesitation. "Bill offered me his place to stay for the time being… Mum will probably be begging me not to leave, but, you know…"

Another silence fell upon the pair as Hermione attempted to find the right words to say. Then, Charlie asked a most unexpected question.

"Could it have ever been me?"

Charlie's focus was steady as he held Hermione's gaze.

"If I hadn't been so late… If I'd told you everything from the beginning… Before this, before everything… Could you have been happy with me?"

Hermione was speechless.

"Charlie… I-," Just as she was about to answer, the door to her room banged open.

"Hermione! Finally-"

"Blaise? What-"

"You didn't show up to work… Helena told me you were out ill for the day… I went to your flat to see if you were okay," Blaise said breathlessly as he hunched over his knees trying to catch his breath. "When you weren't there, I sent a patronus to Ginny who told me that you were in hospital! Next thing I know, I hear that the Weasel bloody attacked you! I needed to come and see you were alive!"

"I'm fine, Blaise, really," Hermione smiled – Blaise always did have a flair for the dramatic. "And very much alive. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to tell you myself, but, as you can imagine-"

"Of course, don't apologise, I just-," Blaise stopped, noticing Charlie for the first time. "Oh! I'm sorry, have I interrupted-?"

"Don't worry about it, mate," Charlie said rather brusquely. "I need to be off anyway – have to let Ginny off of, er… guard duty."

As Charlie moved to stand, Hermione's grip on him tightened. "You won't leave without saying goodbye, will you?"

He gave her a sad smile before he raised her hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back. "Of course not."

With a final nod in Blaise's direction, he swept out of the room, almost banging in to Draco as he sped down the corridor.

"Oof. Sorry, Draco-"

"No problem," Draco replied, his tall figure towering slightly above the stocky redhead. "You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Charlie said, absentmindedly running his hand along his cropped hair. "Hermione's just got a lot of visitors today. Blaise something-or-other's in there with her now…"

"Ah," Draco responded as an awkwardness settled between them.

"Well… I've got to get going," Charlie said, breaking the silence. "I'll see you and Hermione soon, yeah?"

"Of course," Draco replied, a stoic look on his face as he watched the dragon keeper walk away. "Hey, Charlie?"

The other wizard turned.

"Thank you."

Charlie inclined his head slightly before he moved towards the apparition point and, with a turn of his heel, vanished.


Draco returned to Hermione's room to see her and Blaise breaking a hug.

"Everything alright?"

At the sight of him, Hermione broke in to a glowing smile – an expression that was not lost on Blaise.

"Draco Malfoy, long time no see."

"I know," Draco replied as he moved towards his once closest friend, hand outstretched. "Good to see you're still doing well, Zabini."

The pair gave each other a rough handshake before Draco moved to his seat by Hermione's side. Blaise watched as the pair exchanged quiet and gentle 'hellos', the look on Hermione's face not one that he was used to seeing.

"Well, now that I know you're alive, I should probably get back to work," Blaise said as he shifted back and forth on his toes. "Keep me updated, won't you?"

"I'll do my best," Hermione replied, turning to give her friend a warm smile. "Let's do lunch this week, I feel like it's been ages."

"Yeah! Yeah, sounds good," Blaise replied as he tightened his cloak around his shoulders. "See you round then, Malfoy."

With a final wink in Hermione's direction, he left in a hurry, not wanting them to see the confused expression on his face as he rounded the corner.


A/N: Hello all you wonderful, wonderful people! I hope you enjoyed this latest update - we've got some good Dramione stuff (I love 'love' moments!), but we're still carrying on the plotline from the previous chapter.

I've got to say, your responses to chapter 10 were amazing, and I am so so happy that you liked where I went with the story. I know some moments can be a bit 'out there', but I honestly teared up reading some of your reviews, and I'm just so overwhelmed with joy that you're enjoying the story. 3

Some of you have been asking about a future Charlie/Hermione story, and that is definitely on the list of things I will be looking to do later on! If it would be of any interest to you, I'm thinking of doing a one-shot for the two potential lovebirds (as I've done with my other favourite pairings, Fred/Hermione & Remus/Hermione), just to see how it would feel writing from that perspective - what do you think?

Anyway, thank you so much for your continued support, I am sending much cyberlove your way, and I will talk to you again very soon! xx