All things Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling. The storyline is mine. AU
Be warned: Rated M due to language, romantic interludes and things some may find offensive.
Previously on Remnants of the Dark Lord: The Ones With The Power Approach
She stepped in front of Michael and hugged him. "It seems I'm destined to be jumping into your arms for rescue. Thank you."
The room had gone silent at Hermione's words, but Michael answered anyway. "It was my pleasure Hermione. It will always be my pleasure."
Michael finally realized their words may have been taken the wrong way and quickly asked Harry if he was ready to go back to his room.
Harry who had felt the tension admitted he was ready for a lie down. Theo, Randy and Anthony followed them out.
For several minutes, neither Draco nor Hermione said a word.
Draco finally broke the silence. "We are engaged Hermione. It's embarrassing enough to be lying here and not be able to help when you need help, but it stings when you speak to a wizard the way you spoke to Corner. You're destined to be jumping into his arms for rescue?"
The door opened but Draco yelled get out, and whomever had been at the door, made a quick retreat.
Hermione walked around the bed so she could talk to Draco face to face. "Draco Malfoy. You are the wizard I love and want to be with for the rest of my life. I apologize for the way I spoke to Michael and how it sounded to you. My words were meant only as words of thanks. In the future, I will choose my words more carefully."
For the first time since the attack, Draco moved his arms beckoning Hermione to climb in beside him. Hermione laid on one arm while Draco ran his fingers through her hair with the other. She laid there listening to her wizard apologize for being a jealous git and telling her how much he wanted to get into her pussy.
Hermione had begun to feel his words and told him he should refrain from getting her aroused or she would sit on his dick, his back be damned.
Draco had groused. "I wish."
/
Chapter 21: The Best Part Can Never Be Told
The Food Service came in to bring Draco his supper so Hermione decided to visit Justin while he ate his meal. "I'll be back. I'm going to visit with Justin. Mind your back."
"Don't be gone long love. It's almost time for a change of dressing."
"Cute Malfoy. I can see right through you. I'm not going anywhere near Michael. If he is in the room, I won't go in and if he enters the room while I'm there, I'll leave." Kissing her jealous fiancé on the lips, Hermione went in search of Justin Finch Fletchley.
While she searched for JFF's room, her thoughts went back to John Nickles. She was curious to know what had happened after Randy apparated her to St Mungos, but she knew what had been done was decided in confidence. If there was a chance to stop Nickles for good, they were going to take it. She was curious, but for once, she could live with not knowing everything. As long as Nickles was gone for good, she would stick to the plan and not question anything.
She looked up and found herself at Justin's room. The door was partly open so she stuck her head in and asked if she could enter.
Justin smiled as he stood to hug Hermione. "Thank Merlin you're safe. I believe that will be the last time I joke about asking you to marry me."
Hermione laughed as she asked about his condition. It seemed Justin was doing quite well and would be released Monday at the latest. They chatted about her engagement and Draco being invited to the Wizengamot. Justin gave his congratulations on both events. When Food Service brought in his supper, Hermione left the room telling Justin she would catch up with him later.
She also stopped by Harry's room to check on him. Leanne was there feeding the big baby Auror his supper. Both Leanne and Harry grinned when Hermione cracked. "Big baby."
Between chews Harry quipped back. "Is that meant to be a stinging barb then? This coming from a witch who brought a whole room to a standstill with a couple of words. I don't know who was trying to get out of Draco's room faster, me or Michael. To prevent Draco from killing my brilliant second, would you please choose your words more carefully next time."
"Draco and I have already discussed this you git. Even though it was meant to be light banter, I will be very careful how I speak to Michael in future."
Leanne raised her eyebrows, but had remained silent.
Hermione and Leanne talked while Harry ate. Leanne congratulated Hermione on her engagement and even though Justin had mentioned it, Hermione only then realized that her engagement ring had gone missing.
She had just stood up to go tell Draco about her ring when she looked up to find him standing in the doorway.
Hermione jumped up. "What are you doing out of bed? You'll set your recovery back if you reinjure your back."
"I was looking for you," replied Draco. "You've been gone for a long time and I thought something may have happened. I've been to Justin's room and he said you'd come and gone. So here I am."
Hermione glanced quickly at Harry as she commented. "You won't be doing yourself any favors if you undo the bit of healing that has started."
"The specialist has allowed me to walk around as long as I don't overdo it."
Hermione waved to Harry and Leanne as she walked over to Draco, kissed him on the mouth and led him back out the door.
Once they were back in his room, Draco wanted to remain standing for a bit. "The healer suggested I walk or stand for as long as I can as it will help my circulation. I have decided to be standing when you next change my dressings."
Hermione was happy to hear this because it sounded like Draco was healing and beginning to feel stronger.
She chose this moment to stand and face her fiancé. "My engagement ring is gone. I can only imagine that Nickles removed it from my finger. It's probably somewhere in that Merlin forsaken flat. I'm sorry. I realized it was missing earlier, but it slipped my mind and I forgot to mention it. Will you buy me another ring or will you refuse to marry me?"
"I believe I will buy you another one and at the same time I'll have the jeweler sew it to your finger until such time I can get a wedding band on you. How does that sound love? You smell so good. Will you please have sex with me standing up?"
Hermione laughed as she kissed him. "You are an incorrigible wanker. Perhaps that's why I love you so much."
"I'll take that as a no then."
Hermione moved closer and placed her hands on Draco's hips. She was just about ready to move her hands lower when they heard a cough. Before she moved away, Hermione whispered. "If your back can handle it, after we change your dressing I have a solution to your hard dick problem."
Hermione moved away to let the healer hand her the fresh potion and dressings.
/*/
Hermione's words had caused an immediate reaction and Draco hurriedly turned away from the healer so he wouldn't see the tent like protrusion sticking out of his hospital gown. Hermione noticed and smiled as she gave Draco his potion and began to remove the old dressing.
The healer watched very closely and had complimented Hermione on a job well done. "Your touch must have magical properties because the wound is looking a little better."
Hermione smiled her thanks as she walked the healer to the door and then had immediately thrown up locking and silencing charms as soon as he was out the door. She saw the lust in Draco's eyes as she first removed his hospital robe then his boxers. His dick was so hard it was standing straight out. Hermione had thought of a way to give Draco some release. She directed Draco to place both hands against the wall and spread his legs as far apart as he could manage which he readily did.
By the time she had kneeled down between his legs, his dick was leaking pre cum. A low groan escaped him as Hermione placed her hands on his arse and licked the pre-cum from the head of his dick. "Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin! Suck it love. Take it all the way into your mouth."
Hermione moved up and down his dick while her fingers worked on his sensitive areas. With a yell that made Hermione glad she had put up a silencing charm, Draco released all his liquids into Hermione's mouth and watched as what she didn't swallow leaked from both sides of her mouth. All he could think was how much this witch turned him on.
Hermione had to grab Draco by the arms to keep him from sinking to the floor. She led him to the bed where he fell onto his stomach. He laid there for a minute before tanking her. "Thank you love. Now it's your turn. Lie yourself down on the bed and remove your clothes. I want to make you cum."
Hermione happily complied as she was as aroused as he had been. She positioned herself on the bed so Draco could suckle her breasts. She quivered as he moved his mouth from her breasts to between her legs and began to lick the inside her thighs. She was calling his name as he stuck his tongue into her slit and called out to Merlin as he brought her to climax and sucked her juices.
They both had received some measure of satisfaction, but would have been happier if they could have been in each other's arms. Hermione cast a cleansing spell over Draco and went into the bathroom to clean up and brush her teeth. Draco came up behind her and kissed her on the neck.
"Don't start something you can't finish." Cheeked Hermione.
Draco grinned. "I've only come to clean my teeth. Somebody left a bit of liquid love in my mouth."
Hermione smiled at him in the mirror and told him he had loved every minute of it.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and agreed that he had enjoyed it all.
Hermione removed the locking and silencing charms before they got into bed and they had fallen asleep with Hermione's back to Draco's front.
Draco's back was aching something fierce, but it had been worth it.
/**/
Food Service knocked on the door early Sunday morning, but Hermione had put them off. She asked that they come back in a little bit as she hurriedly dressed herself and woke Draco so he could pull on his boxers and robe.
Draco's back was throbbing more than any time since the attack and he was in a beastly mood. "Bloody wankers waking people up before sunrise. Fuck breakfast. I'm hexing the first one through the door."
"Should I get a healer sanctioned pain potion for you? Only pain and jealousy can turn you into this much of a beast. Since there's no one here to generate jealousy, I have to believe you are in pain. I'll be right back."
Draco huffed out loud. "Not only is she beautiful and brilliant, but she is now a mind reader as well."
The pain potion went to work immediately and Draco was soon back in his boxers and robe waiting patiently for his breakfast…..because he was starving.
Hermione laughed at him as he ate breakfast lying on his stomach.
/*/
Hermione was changing Draco's dressing when she thought about muggle poultices. She finished changing the dressing and suggested Draco take a walk around, after which, he should do some simple arm exercises to keep his muscles supple.
"You sound like I'll be doing this alone. Are you leaving?"
"I'm going to the flat to take a shower, change clothes and put together a few things to bring here. I've had an idea and I want to chat with Neville about it."
Draco got quiet. "The truth is, I don't want you out of my sight until I'm back on my feet. I know I'm being a bit ridiculous, but there you are. Owl Neville from here. It's Sunday, he can bring his arse to you."
"We don't have anything to worry about anymore. I'll just pop over to the flat, come right back to owl Neville and ask him to meet me here. How does that sound?"
"It sounds fine." But his manner made it seem that her leaving him was far from fine.
Hermione Owled Neville with the information she needed and left St Mungos to apparate to their flat.
/*/
She was home and back within the hour. Neville had already made it there and was in Harry's room talking to Harry, Justin, Leanne and Draco. Hermione kissed Draco, greeted everyone else and asked Neville if he had found the information she had requested.
Neville pulled several books out of his robes and was handing them to Hermione when Michael, Randy and Anthony arrived. Hermione said good morning and glanced at Draco as she asked Neville to come to Draco's room so he could explain a few things to her. Hermione took Draco by the arm as she and Neville left the room.
"The bloke got the girl. What the fuck is his problem?" Sniped Anthony.
Michael clapped Anthony on his back and gave a command. "Stop A."
Harry growled at Anthony. "Don't start that bull shite this early in the day Anthony. In case you haven't noticed, my witch is here. If you want to fucking swear, go some fucking place other than my fucking hospital room."
Leanne whispered in Harry's ear. "Thanks a fucking bunch."
Harry grabbed her in his arms laughing, "I'm your wizard, I know you like a book. I know you can take a joke."
Anthony apologized. "That wasn't an insult boss. I was simply stating a fact, but I will refrain from stating facts as they relate to Malfoy."
"I've heard that before, but I'm sure this time you mean it Anthony because I definitely meant what I said to you. If you're trying for a position behind a desk, just keep commenting on Hermione and Draco's relationship. Understood?"
"Understood boss," replied Anthony.
/*/
Draco's room began filling up starting at 11:30. Pansy and her husband stopped in as did Blaise, Theo, Draco's assistant, Ron Weasley, Ginny Weasley, two of Draco's senior solicitors and to everyone's surprise, three Wizengamot elders.
The room was so crowded Hermione suggested to Neville they find a private room to go over solutions to the question she had posed to him.
She whispered to Draco. "Neville and I will be down the hall going over a few things. I'll be back soon." She had waved at the room at large as she and Neville left.
Once they were alone, it became much easier to pinpoint several items which fit her criteria. It was only an idea, but Hermione thought there were certain magical plants or herbs with drawing properties. If they could find the right plants, they might be able to draw out the dark properties of Draco's wound which would allow the skin to knit itself back to normal.
Neville had found two which seemed promising. He and Hermione were each studying one.
After an hour, Neville concluded, "Wooleywort herb would be perfect as the drawing poultice because it turns black as it draws out the poison and a black mass of Wooleywort alerts the healer it's time to replace the batch. The second part requires leaves from the Lanere plant whichwill help the skin and muscles knit themselves back together. There is a caveat to this procedure though. The leaves of the Lanere plant cannot be placed on a wound until the Wooleywort herb no longer turns black."
Hermione was excited. "How quickly can you get these for me Neville?"
"They are both a bit rare, but I have an excellent source and I will check with her as soon as we are through here. I should have an answer for you in a couple of hours. I may even have some of the leaves and herbs for you by then. I'll let you know."
Hermione thanked Neville and hugged him goodbye as she headed back to Draco's room.
/*/
The crowd had thinned out leaving just Theo and Blaise talking with Draco. The bed had been returned to regulation size while the room was full of visitors, but someone had conjured a couch for extra seating. Hermione sat on the couch talking and joking with the wizards, but had found it hard to keep her eyes open. Once she laid her head back against the couch, she had fallen asleep.
Hermione dreamed that someone was shaking her. She soon realized Draco was shaking her awake to let her know she had received a package. Hermione was instantly awake. All Draco's visitors had gone and the room was now empty except for him and her. Neville had come through. She explained her theory to Draco as she opened the package.
Neville had enclosed a note;
Hermione,
I was able to get my hands on some of both Wooleywort and Lanere. I will get you more after the weekend. Remember, do not use the Lanere until the Wooleywort stops turning black. I hope this works out for Draco.
Your friend,
Neville
Draco was excited as well. "If there is something which will heal me quickly and completely, I'm willing to give it a try."
When Hermione hesitated, it surprised Draco. "You've researched it and Neville has sanctioned it. What is your hesitation?"
"I just wonder if the specialist will allow us to try this radical procedure. You know as well as I that St Mungos has rules and regulations they have to follow. It may take some fancy talking to get them to let us try this."
"Fancy talking is my forte," Draco replied. "If that doesn't work, I'll offer to donate a new wing or something and if that doesn't work, I'll throw my weight around. Whatever it takes is what I'll do. When we get the okay, we might want to run this by Potter as well. He might want to be healed quickly and completely as well."
Hermione smiled. "Made up your mind already then? Not worried about side effects or such?"
Draco was laughing as he replied with a cheeky answer. "You and Longbottom have already researched it. Why should I worry? Would you take your lovely arse out there and find us a healer and grab Harry on your way back love?"
/*/
Hermione was back with a healer, healer specialist and Harry before Draco left the bathroom after using the facilities.
They had immediately gotten down to serious business as Hermione took the healers step by step over the instructions she had received from Neville. The specialist healer wanted to see the written material on the two ingredients and promised to have an answer in a couple of hours.
Draco had become a little quiet when the specialist hadn't been as excited as he and Hermione.
Hermione hugged him. "Cheer up love. The healer is only doing his job. He wouldn't agree to something straightaway and have it backfire on the patient and St Mungos. It might take a bit of time for the higher ups to make a decision. Anyway, if they won't allow it, we can do it at home. We'll get it done one way or another."
Harry had listened to everything and agreed to have the treatment whether it was authorized by St Mungos or not. With all that agreed upon, Harry chose this time to discuss what they were going to do regarding the attack. He asked Hermione to lock the door, which she did.
"While you, me and Draco are here, I want to discuss what comes next. Theo has promised the Daily Prophet we would give them a story and we will. I'll ask Theo to set it up. Kingsley is coming by today and unless I can convince him otherwise, we are probably looking at some kind of inquiry. I don't have a problem with an inquiry. It is expected. What we need to get clear is the story. We will keep the untruths down to a minimum, but there will have to be some large omissions and manipulations. If Kingsley doesn't ask to speak with you Hermione, I won't bring you up."
Both Hermione and Draco nodded their heads in agreement.
"Here is what I propose I/we tell Kingsley as well as the Daily Prophet:
Last Friday during a celebration at Club Accio at approximately 10:00 pm, an unknown assailant attacked myself, Draco Malfoy and Justin Finch Fletchley. Justin may have been attacked simply for being a Muggleborn. In the ensuing melee, the unknown assailant kidnapped Hermione Granger. Because he put Hermione under some kind of trance and kept his face covered, she is unaware of his identity. Our thinking is he may have been some old Death Eater who has been lurking in the background. Hermione came out of the trance, was able to grab her wand, incapacitate her kidnapper and escape. She left the assailant lying on the floor bleeding. She used her special coin to contact Aurors, who were already at St Mungos after rushing me and Draco here. Since she had made it to the front of St Mungos, they couldn't tell where she had been held captive."
Harry went on. "If you are pushed to name a spell Hermione, name the Sectumsempra as it is not an unforgivable and it does cause bleeding. Have I left anything out? You escaped from some madman unassisted, you'll be hailed as a heroine, yet again."
Hermione grinned as she slapped Harry across the arm. "I don't think you've missed anything Harry, but if you can somehow make it clear, the unknown assailant may never be in any shape to cause harm to others, that would be perfect. We really don't need MLE or the Aurors running around chasing someone who no longer exists."
Draco pulled Hermione to him when she frowned.
"He is gone for good, isn't he?" Asked Hermione.
Both Harry and Draco answered at the same time. "He's gone for good."
The three friends sat back and reflected all that had transpired over the last several months and were glad to have seen the back of John Nickles.
/*/
Kingsley Shacklebolt turned up shortly after Hermione removed the locking charm from the door. He greeted everyone, asked after their health and told Harry he needed to speak to him in private. Harry had followed Kingsley out of the room.
Thirty five minutes later, Harry turned back up at Draco's door. Kingsley had taken all the information from him and remarked that the Ministry would prosecute the unknown assailant to the fullest extent of the law as soon as he could be identified and captured.
"Not much gets past that man." Harry remarked. "I guess that's why he's Minister of Magic. He told me he's not as far removed from certain things as I would believe and the next time there were issues, I should come to him or suffer the consequences. I think we may be okay."
"We are very lucky that Kingsley is partial to you Harry," replied Hermione.
"I'd have to agree with you there Hermione. Very lucky. Another thing, Justin thought he was going to be released today, but the healers have recommended he stay one more day. I am going to tell him about the upcoming Daily Prophet article as well as what we've discussed here. I would ask you to owl Theo and have him give information to Josiah Bumfeck, but he has his eye on one of the healers and is probably somewhere in St Mungos as we speak. Maybe you can get him on his mobile. If not, Owl him to let him know what to do."
Draco smirked. "The wizard hasn't been awake a whole week and already he has a prospect. That's the way Slytherins do it.
Harry laughed and headed for the door. "You'd better watch how you talk around your Gryffindor witch."
Draco grinned as he stood and asked Hermione to accompany him on a short walk.
/*/
Draco and Hermione walked from one end of the corridor to the other. They had even taken the lift up to the sunroom on the roof. It was a little chilly, but Draco wanted to get some air. They stayed up there until Hermione insisted they go back inside.
Draco pulled her to him. "Thank you for being here for me. Once again you have come to my rescue and I plan to spend my life making it up to you. I love you Granger and I want a ring back on your finger as quickly as possible. I don't want any git getting the idea you are single."
Hermione giggled. "I think most of the gits already know what's what. They'll never mistake me for a single witch."
Maybe everyone except the git who hopes you are destined to jump into his arms for rescue," cheeked Draco.
"Get over yourself Malfoy. The only arms I'll be jumping into are yours. Now let's get back inside."
/*/
As they made their way back to Draco's floor, they were inundated with well wishes from the healers as well as witches and wizards who were visiting the hospital. They had smiled, waved and thanked each person.
When the lift stopped at the third floor, Theo stepped inside grinning. "Hello my friends. Where are you coming from?"
"The question might be, where are you coming from? We have had news that there is a healer at St Mungos who has caught your fancy. Is this information correct and when will we be meeting this enchanting witch?"
"She is enchanting and you will be meeting her as early as this evening after she gets off duty," replied Theo.
Draco suggested that Theo go see Harry while he was waiting for his 'healer' to come off duty because it was time for him to invite Josiah Bumfeck in for an interview. He let Theo know Harry had everything worked out.
Theo commented that his next stop would be Harry's room.
/*/
There was a message for Hermione asking her to get in touch with Specialist Healer Evers. Hermione left Draco to use the bathroom and went to find Healer Evers. The Healer advised Hermione that management at St Mungos did not normally allow outside influences to interfere with their procedures. However, in this case, they would allow the procedure as long as a specialist could sit in on every step. He had added, upper management at St Mungos has admitted they know Draco Malfoy would not take no for an answer so there wasn't any need for them to decline the request.
Hermione thanked Healer Evers and told him when everything was set up, she would let him know they were ready. Hermione hurried to tell Draco the news as she pulled out the box containing the Wooleywort and Lanere.
Draco sat cautiously on the side of the bed and waited for the trial to begin. He had faith in Hermione and if she believed this preparation would work, he believed it would work. Specialist Healer Evers entered the room and stood silently beside Draco. Draco suddenly remembered Harry and asked the healer to get him.
Evers came back with Harry in tow.
Harry hadn't stepped all the way into the room before he had quipped. "Hermione and Neville will either cure us or kill us. I'm hoping it's the former because I want to be all the way back to handsome before I leave St Mungos."
Draco and Hermione laughed out loud with Draco adding the expected zinger. "I don't think any preparation can make you something you've never been Potter."
"Healer Evers would you please remove the dressing from Draco's back, asked Hermione. "We'll start with him first."
/*/
Hermione prepared the Wooleywort exactly as Neville had instructed and advised Draco that it could possibly sting. Harry laughed as Draco groaned. "Now she tells me."
Hermione put on gloves as she chided him. "Oh be quiet and stand still. I'll need you to bend forward a bit."
Draco placed his hands on the back of a chair and waited for Hermione to begin. The mixture looked like something the Merpeople would hold dear and smelled a little ripe as well. Harry had started backing away.
Draco caught his movement out the corner of his eye and called out. "Hold it right there Potter because Draco Malfoy will not die alone. Stand your ground."
Healer Evers who was watching everything very closely had a comment. "It appears to be working Miss Granger. The bright green is already taking on a blackish caste."
Hermione finished Draco's back and while Healer Evers placed a clear dressing over his back, Hermione moved over to Harry. Harry took two steps back every time Hermione moved towards him. Hermione stopped and put her hands on her hips.
Harry threw his hands up. "I'm ready."
"Turn around you big git," snapped Hermione. Harry turned so his wound was facing her. Healer Evers had moved over and watched Hermione as she laid the Wooleywort preparation onto Harry's wound.
Harry yelled. "Ouch Hermione, it burns."
Hermione jumped back and Healer Evers immediately stepped forward until they realized Harry was being an arse.
"One more time Harry and I'll stick my entire hand into the wound and twist. Have I made myself clear?"
"You have made yourself perfectly clear," answered Harry. "Are we almost done here?"
"We are all done except for the dressing."
Healer Evers stated that everything looked spot on and she would check back in an hour, and if it was warranted, at one hour intervals beyond that.
Hermione excused herself to go owl Neville and find herself some lunch leaving the two gits to fend for themselves.