The days turned to weeks and the once cool light weather was now frigid and cold. Draco was now onto his last week of Healer training and he couldn't be happier for it. The process had been very long and extremely strenuous. He wasn't sure what his standing in the class was, but he knew better then to relax just yet; there were still two others outside himself attending the class. He wanted this so much he could taste it, but he refused to allow himself to believe he would succeed. After all the bad he'd done he didn't think the universe would allow him a success.
He and Hermione now had a routine, because they were both very busy they were unable to meet everyday as they once had, but twice a week they got together. She would make sure he was still on track and make any adjustments to his study schedule needed and he would offer her advice on any case she'd been assigned to or to the bill she was secretly attempting to submit for house elves. He didn't believe in her cause but he enjoyed the passionate arguments that would erupt from her when he made a comment against rights for the small beings. He understood politics; his whole life he'd been bred for the like. You needed to be sneaky and extremely cunning if you wanted things to move in your favor. Hermione believed in a fair fight and justice; he would routinely inform her that no matter who was in put charge of the Ministry or how noble they claimed to be the system would always be corrupt.
They hadn't met at the Manor since his father's release from Azkaban…..his father. He hadn't seen much of the man since the night he'd come home. His mother had gone to the Ministry to retrieve him one morning and hadn't returned for several hours. It was well after midnight when Grub suddenly woke him from his sleep and alerted him that his mother and father had finally returned and were retiring for the evening. It had been another two full days before he saw either of his parents.
He had been sitting in the morning room eating breakfast when his father entered the room. Both gentlemen stopped and stared at each other, neither speaking a word. The air in the room seemed to grow stagnant. Having enough of the silence Draco cleared his throat and greeted the man who'd been his idol for most of his life. "Good Morning Father" he spoke softly. His father, finally shaken from his stunned expression nodded in Draco's direction and continued on his way, never saying a word. In truth his father didn't speak to any of the other residents of the manor outside of his mother.
This caused a great uneasiness within Draco that he'd still been unable to shake. His father always had a word for him and always preferred his son's presence above all others. Now the older man seemed to move in the same manor as a ghost would. He didn't maintain eye contact with Draco nor did he invite conversation with him. Draco had been aware that his father would once again return from Azkaban changed but he didn't think his father would shut him out. He lay awake many a night wondering about the stranger now occupying his home.
He would toss and turn in his sleep thinking about his father until the next day when he would wake and begin his day. His father wasn't the only thing on his mind these days. A girl with wild brown hair was also taking up a great deal of space in his thoughts. Draco had been given the great fortune of tasting the small thing once and that was all it took. That was all that was needed for him to now build a yearning for her. She'd told him that she wanted to build a life with that idiot Weasley; at the time he'd agreed to respect her decision but on the inside he'd been screaming in frustration.
Sure he understood why she would want to choose a sure thing over a wild card. The Weasley had always been a constant in her life, the only consistency Draco had shown her were the never ending taunts and cruel names he'd thrown her way whenever they'd come across one another. He hated and lived for the moments when they could see each other. She smiled and laughed more now, he didn't think he would ever find anything that he enjoyed more then hearing her laugh at something he'd said. Yawning Draco turned his head to the side and looked at the antique clock sitting on the side table next to his bed. Ten sixteen was the current time, Draco at this time was usually still studying and preparing for his exam at the end of the week, but in this moment he was not.
Because this was his final week of Healer Training before it was announced who would be earning the tile of Healer, Draco knew he should be spending every minute of his free time buried behind a book but books reminded him of the very thing he was trying to push from his mind. Due to all the time he'd now spent in her presence Draco discovered that Hermione's complexion was not as clear as he'd once thought. Sprayed across her nose and cheeks were an array of freckles that Draco found adorable. She also had the softest skin that Draco had ever come across in his life, he would regularly find a reason to brush against her hand. Or he would push her insane hair out of her face giving her the excuse that her hair was muffling her speech and he was having trouble hearing her.
Each time she would shy away and smile a small smile while avoiding his gaze. He knew he wasn't being fair to her but he couldn't help himself. She brought out something good and pure within him. He would have felt a lot more guilt for his actions had he not noticed her returning his affections. She now seemed to seek out his presence. She once made sure to sit as far from him as humanly possible, but now she would sit right next to him and lean over, reading whatever he'd been going over that day. She'd laugh out loud and grasp his arm whenever he said something in jest.
He'd also begun to notice other things about Hermione that he desperately tried to hide from her. She was rather fit and he liked watching her from behind. Laying flat on his bed Draco looked up at the ceiling and pictured Hermione's soft frame. She never wore anything that shaped her body but Draco could tell that beneath her wool jumpers was a body that he would definitely love to explore. Running his hand down his bare chest Draco tried to imagine what she kept hidden behind her clothes.
His hand slipped lower until it found its destination. He thought of her sultry laughter and the shy expression that would come over her face when he stared too long. He thought of her sitting on her knees and excitingly retelling him a story of something that happened at the Ministry. The more he thought of her the more he pumped his now solid member. He shut his eyes tightly and recalled the night she'd fallen asleep in his bed. He remember the deep moan that slipped from her when he'd thrusted himself into her pelvic area.
He tightened his grip and increased his pace. She bit her bottom lip in an unknowingly seductive way when she was deep in thought. She arched her back when she stretched which caused her full bust to appear bigger and rounder. Imagining these things now caused Draco to slip over the edge, he couldn't take the overwhelming feeling that was beginning to flood his body. Stroking faster and faster Draco continued until he grunted with satisfaction. Forcing himself up he retrieved his discarded shirt and lazily cleaned himself up and dropped back down. Breathing heavily he smiled to himself and allowed the euphoric feeling to lull him to sleep.
Draco was having an awful morning. Not only had he woken up late but his mother had cornered him and tried to discuss his father. He'd had to brush her off which he felt guilty for. Today was not the day for things to start out wrong for him. Madam Brassworth would be announcing who had successfully completed Healer Training and who would be claiming the title. He'd also planned to see Hermione today as well and after his very inappropriate night he wasn't sure how the interaction would be going. Draco skidded down the empty corridor clipping his shoulder on a nearby wall. Trying to rub the pain away Draco walked into the classroom where the blond girl and the annoying squatty wizard were both waiting.
They both turned to look at him disgustingly when he entered the room. Once Draco had taken his usual seat at the back of the room they both turned away from him. Not a moment later had he sat down did Madam Brassworth enter the classroom. "Good Morning, Good Morning everyone" She cheerfully announced. "As you are all aware, today will be a lot different then any other day that we've had. You will each begin your final exam, unlike previously this will be an entirely written examination. Once you have completed the examination you will be interviewed separately and given a letter that you will be unable to open until you are no longer on St. Mungo's grounds." She paused and looked around at her remaining students sadly, "for two of you the letter will contain a schedule and a department that you will be assigned to. For the third it will be a rejection. I must say I am proud of each of you. This program is difficult given the proper time to learn the things you have all learn in such a short amount of time. For the one who does not become a Healer do not be discouraged, you have done great things as well. Find your path if this one shall end."
Madam Brassworth nodded once and and on each desk appeared a blank piece of parchment and a quill. Once Draco picked up the quill the parchment paper began to fill with words, Draco stared at the letters and began to fill in answers. Several hours later Draco put the quill down and the parchment vanished from his desk. He looked up and noticed that he'd completed his exam first. Before he had a moment to ponder this a hand appeared on his shoulder and he turned his head. He came face to face with a surly looking older woman covered in wrinkles. "This way Mr. Malfoy." The woman voice shook as she spoke, looking back at Madam Brassworth who smiled reassuringly at him Draco stood from his seat and followed the woman out of the room. She led him to dark empty room where Healer Tibbs and a flame haired woman were seated. The older woman who led him to the room took her seat next to Healer Tibbs and Draco took the empty chair across from them.
"Mr. Malfoy good evening, we will each ask you a single question. Your answer to this question and your examination results will determine rather or not you become a Healer. I implore you to think very throughly before you answer each question." Said the flame haired woman, she asked her question first. "What would you do if you do not become a Healer." Draco hadn't considered this option, for twelve weeks he'd only thought of becoming a Healer. He was so close but what would he do if it did not work out. Unsure of what the correct response was he thought to answer truthfully. "I have no idea what I would do honestly. All I know is I need to make amends, I done so much that I now regret and I need to make up for those past mistakes."
The woman nodded once, the much older woman spoke up next. "Mr. Malfoy Magic can cure many things but one thing and that is death. How would you deal with such a thing if you have learned it is your fault?" Easy question he thought. Death had unfortunately been a constant in his life now and a lot of things had by association been his fault. "I have learned to accept it. As I stated I want to make amends, I want to save people but death is not a thing we can avoid." She looked away after his response and Draco began to grow nervous, he wasn't sure if that was the correct way to respond. Finally Healer Tibbs gave him a hard look before he spoke, "Why do you want to become a Healer?" Draco responded before he could think "I want save people, I spent so much time standing by and watching others suffer. I've been given a second chance and I want to use it."
No one said a word after he'd given his final answer. Suddenly a white envelope appeared in his hand, Draco looked down nervously and then back up at the small group. "You May leave Mr. Malfoy" Healer Tibbs gruffly instructed. Draco immediately stood from the chair and left the room. Madam Brassworth informed them that they wouldn't be able to open the letter until they were no longer on the grounds but he wanted to know now. He turned the letter over and attempted to open the letter but it wouldn't budge. He tried a few more time before giving up and walking towards the exit. Once outdoors he shut his eyes and pictured the place he wanted to go. He felt the change in scenery, no longer did he hear the loud sounds of the capital. Opening his eyes he found himself at the dwelling of Hermione Granger. She wouldn't be home for another hour so he would need to wait.
The once green grass was covered with clear white snow. Draco had to cast several warming spells before he heard Hermione arrive. Pounding on the door until she angrily yanked it open. "What do you think you're doing!" She shouted. He pushed past her and threw the letter down on the table in the middle of the room. Her expression softened as she approached him. "Is that……" he nodded before she could finish. "Are you going to read it?" She asked. He couldn't find his voice in this moment but Hermione could tell what he meant. She picked up the letter and proceeded to tear the letter open. She scanned the letter quickly and shrieked loudly. Draco took several steps back and stared at her. "You did it," she yelled as she threw her arms around him. "Draco you did it, you're a Healer!"