Draco awoke again a couple of hours later on his couch where had had fallen asleep as soon as he had gotten home. Sweat had made his shirt wet and it stickily stuck to his body. He hardly had the energy to get off the couch so instead, when he tried, he fell down onto the floor and lay there for a couple of moments before tiredly sitting up.

He looked from the stone table, to the decorations on the fire-mantle, to the expensive paintings on his wall. He would've thrown it all away if it meant the nightmares would end. Merlin, he'd do anything for them to end. The strange thing though, was that they had, for the first time in seven years, and his remedy? Hermione Granger. When he pushed himself off the floor every bit of his body ached and he hated himself for sleeping on the coach so much at that moment. As he walked through the apartment, heading for the shower, he noticed a note on his table, one that he somehow had managed to miss when he arrived during the night.

Draco

Pansy told me you were going to Italy tomorrow so I came over and helped you pack some things you might need. I thought that you'd be too busy with work to have the time yourself. I waited until mid-night before I left so that your father wouldn't be worried about me, but I'm worried about you, it's not like you to be that late. Please come by before you leave for Italy so that I know you're okay.

Love,

Your mother.

Since this morning was especially bad, all Draco wanted to do was to apparate there, to Malfoy Manor, current condition and all. Shout at both his parents that of-fucking-course he wasn't okay and that it was their fault for making his life a miserable mess by joining a maniac in a crusade as mad as the man himself. He knew that they regretted it more than anything though. His mother more than father considering she had only followed him into it because she loved him, supported him. He muttered something foul under his breath and left the note on the table.

As he headed towards his shower he saw that, true to her words, his mother had packed his things as there was now a black suitcase resting on his bed. His bed was made with new linens and he just couldn't be mad at his parents anymore. At least not his mother since she did these trivial things for him; she left dinner occasionally, made his bed, existed. She was a saint to him.

Later, clad in his Healer robes, Draco walked the corridors of St Mungo's third floor. At first he hadn't truly liked those corridors, he felt as if he had replaced the Hogwarts corridors for the wizard hospital, but he had adjusted. Now, he actually felt like he belonged.

"Mr Malfoy, can I have a second?" He had stopped just outside the room where Hermione was staying and turned around at the sound of a voice.

"Yes, Jones?"

"Well, I saw your report and I – I'm offended because I really, really, really like this subject. Potions poisoning is really interesting," the girl said.

"I'm afraid I haven't seen this interest you speak of."

"How could you not?"

How am I supposed to answer that? he thought. "I know that Mrs Parker is interested in potions poisoning because I've heard her answer distressed calls from patients, she knows everything about the subject-"

"What does that have to do with it?"

"It isn't just about knowing everything, it's about caring for your patients first of all and I wouldn't say you suit for it." Draco almost regretted what he had said when a crease built up between her brows and a tear ran quickly down her cheek. It was the truth, he told himself.

"I just want to be good at something," she sobbed.

"Perhaps you should talk to a councillor about something that fits with who you are."

She nodded silently but started talking again,"I don't think that's why you don't want me working here."

"Oh?" Draco wanted to turn around and jump out a window but hesitated, perhaps she would say something logical.

"You want to date me."

No, no, no I really don't want to, his mind screamed. What was wrong with all the women around him?

"You're wrong." Draco said. His eyes were fixed on intern nurse Jones and she looked down at the floor.

"Well if you would want to, floo me anytime," she winked, spun around and walked away. Draco blinked a few times, what the hell? He entered the room which he stood outside of and closed the door behind him. He put his palm across his face and sighed heavily before he looked at his patient that were laying beneath three white blankets. She looked very amused.

"Oh you think that's funny?" he asked and gave her a grin.

"Trouble in paradise? I've seen her, she's very beautiful," Hermione answered.

"Beauty isn't all looks to be truthful."

"Well of course not, but…"

"How are you feeling today?" he requested to know so that they would change the subject.

"Much, much better. I think that thing affected me more than I realised. I slept really well too."

So did I, as long as I was sleeping next to you, he thought.

"Are you usually having nightmares?" he said instead.

"Not that often, I just don't sleep through the night very often."

"Have you tried calming draughts? It could help."

"I have, they don't work for me. Not long enough for me to have a soothing sleep anyway." Hermione said and pulled the blankets off of her body. She was already dressed and must have just been waiting for her Healer to show up.

"Same here," Draco said and immediately regretted it.

"You have nightmares?" she asked and shot him a questioning look. Damn, why had he said that?

"Well then, since you're feeling so well I'll send you home. You'll receive an owl in about a month for a check-up," he said, instead of answering her question. He looked down and opened her file to write down that she had been sent home and the date that she was to see a Healer again. He could feel her eyes searching for his so he decided to stand up, prepared to leave.

"That's all," he said and opened the door.

"Thank you Malfoy."

"You're welcome, now take care Hermione," he said to remind her that she'd called him by first name but when he looked at her she seemed curious, as if she didn't know what to make of him.


A/N don't forget to leave a review if you've enjoyed what I've written, and to tell me what you think! This one was so fun to write tbh. :) Hope you have a lovely weekend!