Hey guys sorry about the lateness. I promise to try and update quicker.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other character, J.K Rowling does. I do however own the plot.
Hermione felt her consciousness rise from her sleep-ridden mind and squinted her eyes as she felt a soft squeeze on her hand. She blinked her eyes slowly, trying to shake off the last effects of sleep, as her sight cleared and her eyes landed on a head of silver blond hair.
"Dra… Draco?" she asked in a scratchy voice.
Draco immediately rose and went to her bedside table, handing her a goblet of ice cold water. Hermione took it from him cautiously and then eagerly gulping down the cool liquid, sighing as she felt it soothe her burning throat. She tilted her head back, trying to capture the last droplets of water before she set the goblet down, a sheepish smile gracing her pale face.
Clearing her throat, she began to talk, "You're very bad for my health, you know?" she said, teasingly.
Draco shot her a confused look, clearly thinking that the trauma of the fire had jumbled up her brain.
Hermione laughed at his expression, "after becoming friends with you, I've been cursed and nearly burnt alive, in the same day!"
At her words, Draco face immediately fell. Hermione rushed forward and clasped his hand, "hey, it wasn't your fault. You didn't have anything to do with the fire or the curse."
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand reassuringly and was about to continue when the curtain separating the pair from the rest of the infirmary opened, and Professor Dumbledore stuck his head in.
"Ah Miss Granger, I see that you have woken up and are feeling better," he said as he smiled at the pair.
Hermione quickly dropped Draco's hand, her cheeks reddening, "Um.. yes Professor, there appears to be no side effects of the curse."
Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands, "excellent, now to go on to more serious matters. I need to speak to both of you."
Hermione sat up fully and was about to stand when Draco placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "rest, and I'll go. I'll call you when I'm done."
Professor Dumbledore smiled softly at Draco before shaking his head, "I'm afraid that's not possible Mr Malfoy. I need to speak to both you and Miss Granger together as what I have to say concerns both of you."
Draco quickly sat down at Hermione's bedside and looked at the professor expectantly, his hand moving to cover Hermione's in a somewhat unconscious action. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as they noted the small gesture and his lips twisted into a sad smile.
"In regards to Mr Malfoy's… uh… condition, Professor Snape and I have been in deep discussion and the only possible solution would be for the both of you to be separated as each of these episodes have been triggered when the two of you were in close proximity to each other. However we hope that over time, Mr Malfoy, along with the help of myself and Professor Snape, may be able control the power he was gifted with," Professor Dumbledore said sadly.
Hermione felt Draco squeeze her hand before he erupted. "Condition? This is not a bloody condition, it's a curse. And I don't see how separating us is going to make it better. Judging from your expression, you don't seem to more know about this than my mother, who kept this quiet for years, so how could you possibly hope to help me control something that you could barely stop? " Draco shouted out, his voice getting louder as his anger increased. He ceased his rant for a moment to draw in a furious breath and was about to begin again when he felt Hermione pull his hand closer. He turned to her with a worried look, concerned that her injuries has resurfaced.
Hermione saw the worry in Draco's eyes and shook her head in response. She squeezed Draco's hand, mirroring his previous action and began to calmly speak, "Professor I do apologise for Draco's outburst, however he does have a point. Keeping us apart will not accomplish anything since it seems I was able to help him regain control coupled with the fact that we may have accidently bonded, it would prove disastrous for both of us. Perhaps I could help you with teaching him how to control his power instead of us being kept apart. "
Professor Dumbledore nodded his head at the apology," the both of you have raised some valid points, I will consult with both Professor Snape and inform you of our decision. Now I do think that this has been a tiring day and it would do the pair of you a world of good to have some rest. I will inform your teachers that the both of you will be excused from class on Monday. I do, however, expect that you'll both catch up on the work that will be missed. Now I'm off to speak to Madam Pomfrey, I hope that you both may have a slumber filled with peace as we brace ourselves for the trials to come. "
Hermione nodded and slowly laid back down onto her bed as she watched the wizened professor's figure disappear into Madam Pomfrey's office. "He's right Draco. We both need to rest."
Draco looked at her for a while, debating her words, before bobbing his head in agreement and making his way over to the cot next to Hermione's. He quietly moved it closer to hers and laid down on it, his hand moving to her bed in search of her hand. When he found it, he let out a contented sigh, "Promise you won't leave me, you can't leave me Granger," he whispered so softly that if Hermione hadn't possessed heighten hearing, she would have thought that she had imagined it.
Hermione closed her eyes and squeezed Draco's hand before allowing her mind to drift off into the sweet oblivion that sleep provided.
The sound of Madam Pomfrey's door opening pulled Hermione from sleep's grasp and she slowly opened an eye to see Professor Dumbledore making his way to the Infirmary door. Quietly, so as not to wake Draco, she climbed out of her bed and padded across the cold stone floor.
"Professor, might I have a word?" she whispered as she neared the teacher.
"Ah, of course Miss Granger," Dumbledore smiled.
"Professor, might there be an alternate way to help Draco? Surely, there must be something that will help Draco in a shorter time, anything?" Hermione implored.
Professor Dumbledore looked at her sadly, "there is a quicker method Miss Granger, unfortunately, it consists of the brewing of a potion. A potion which consists of an ingredient that has been deemed missing since the first Wizarding War. And while both myself and Mrs Malfoy had sent out scouts for the ingredient before. I have doubled my efforts but it has continued to elude us."
"And what, may I ask, is the ingredient, professor?" Hermione asked.
"It is a plant that was grown in the land of Draco's ancestors. The fotia drakos plant to be precise. Long ago it was grown in the fields of Athens with the sole purpose of helping the Igneus Bellatorum harness their powers. Now it is all but gone and its location is forever lost. If you wish to further research it, I will gladly extend your privileges in the restricted section of the library," the professor explained.
"Thank you, professor. This has been most revealing and I can't wait to start researching as soon as I can," Hermione said, enthusiastically.
"It is a pleasure. Ah Miss Granger I should inform you that the library is closed as it is quite late, you should rest for now and go tomorrow," Professor Dumbledore said as he remembered Hermione's love of books.
"Of course professor, goodnight," Hermione said as she made her way back to her bed. She desperately wanted to sneak into the library but she knew that the headmaster had probably put up enchantments to keep her out for the night. She smiled as she realised that she would have the entire day to spend in the library as well the following day since Professor Dumbledore had given them the day off. Hermione drifted off to sleep once more, a huge smile on her face. Tomorrow would be filled with books and there was no greater way to spend her time, Hermione thought.
Ps sorry for any errors!
Au revoir!