When Phillip and Eloise entered the infirmary, they'd noticed immediately that their daughter was awake and laughing with James and Harry. Eloise rushed to her daughter's bedside, and enveloped Georgiana into her arms.

"I'm okay mum," Georgiana said softly, "It was an accident. Ronald didn't mean to hurt me. Please don't let Dad get angry."

Eloise sat back and gently moved Georgiana's hair from her face. "Your Father will do what is best, my darling. I am glad you are awake. Does anything hurt?"

"Madam Pomfrey said I have a slight concussion. She gave me a headache potion and told me I needed to stay here in the infirmary overnight for observation. I'm going to be fine, mum." Georgiana reassured her mother, who was fussing over her daughter worriedly.

"We should probably let you rest. I wanted to let you know I spoke with young Lord Malfoy a bit ago. He seemed genuinely worried for you and was very apologetic about everything. He seemed sincere in his desire to make amends. How do you feel about that, Georgiana?"

Georgiana sighed heavily and glanced warily at father, who was watching her closely. "Did he ask for permission to formally court me, Daddy?"

Phillip nodded once. "He did make a formal request of myself and your grandmother. I told him I wished to speak with you first. Your mother and Lord Malfoy had quite the interesting conversation, which the Minister was more than willing to allow me access to. He seems genuine, I however have serious reservations as does your grandmother." Georgiana sighed unhappily and gazed up at her father with big blue eyes that were so much like her mother's. "You know my daughter, I can't refuse you anything. If you wish to pursue a formal courtship then I won't stand in your way. I suggest you think about it however. Lord Malfoy has made the formal request to un-retire the Malfoy family's formal titles bestowed by the Crown. Your grandmother is considering both requests."

Georgiana's eyes widened comically as she watched her brother and Harry, who were looking at her with uncertainty and amusement. "He really...made that request?"

Phillip nodded again. "He did. He seemed willing to adhere to any stipulations we might request of him. He also seemed willing to support any choice you might make about what we discussed before you left home." At this, Phillip placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder and she in turn, grasped his hand in acknowledgement. "Your mother apparently is aware of some facts that you didn't seem willing to share with me. I do understand that I haven't always been as accepting of your magical ties Georgiana, but I feel as if I've let you down if you can't be honest with me about what has been troubling you all these years."

Georgiana felt tears spring to her eyes and she frowned at her father sorrowfully. Phillip came over to her bedside and enveloped her in a hug. "Whatever you need me to do sweetheart, I will do it. I will move heaven itself if it secures your happiness." Phillip whispered into his daughter's ear, while Georgiana just nodded and sobbed quietly into her father's arms.

Gazing up at her father, Georgiana smiled softly. "I know this is sudden and I'm not sure what to think of everything yet...but I know I just can't ignore the bond Draco and I share. I did that for seven years, and I think it broke something inside me Daddy. I haven't felt whole in so long."

Phillip grasped his daughter's face into his hands and kissed her forehead softly. "Then I will grant permission and I'm sure your grandmother will agree. But if that young man hurts you again Georgiana, I won't be held accountable for the actions I will take in retribution."

Georgiana nodded and hugged her father again. Eloise leaned over and kissed her daughter goodnight but not before extracting a promise that Georgiana would write her weekly. James, kissed his sister on the forehead and told her to 'stay out of trouble,' which caused Georgiana to giggle in relief. Harry told her that he would see her family back to the palace and then return to wish her a goodnight.

When everyone had left, Georgiana sat there and stared out the window, thinking about what her mother and father had told her. She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear another visitor coming into the infirmary and didn't notice when Draco sat down in chair at the end of her bed. When she felt someone gently rubbing her leg, she looked over and saw Draco watching her with concern.

"Hi." She whispered.

"Hey beautiful." Draco smiled softly. "You feeling okay?"

Georgiana nodded. "Yeah, bit of a headache, but Madam Pomfrey said I should be able to go to class tomorrow."

Draco smirked fondly at his witch. Merlin forbid she should miss any classes. "I'm sorry about what happened."

Staring at the blonde in shock, Georgiana shook her head. "Why are you apologizing Draco. You didn't hit me with that spell."

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly. "Because you were upset about the bond. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed anything. I didn't mean to make you upset."

Shaking her head emphatically, Georgiana reached out for Malfoy and he promptly moved over to the side of her bed and took her hand in his. "Draco, I was upset because I was in shock. I feel like so many of my choices have been taken from me, and for a moment it felt like one more had been added to that." Draco looked down and made to move off the bed but Georgiana gripped his hand tightly. "Don't leave Draco. Don't shut down on me like you're prone to do." She squeezed his hand and after a moment he returned the sentiment. "I'm completely overwhelmed, but in a good way." Draco's grey eyes seemed a bit wary and Georgiana sighed. "You overwhelm me Draco, you always have. When we were younger it was hard to control my anger and frustration around you, so I lashed out because I was hurt. Hurt that you didn't want to be my friend. Hurt that you saw me as something beneath you. Now, it's all different and I'm processing it all. When you kissed me in the alcove today, I'd realized that I'm not sure what to do now that you're attainable... frankly, it terrifies me. I'm so used to keeping such a tight rein on my emotions, and I'm not sure how that's going to work now."

Draco nodded and smirked slightly. "I feel the same way love. I've dreamt of you for years. Your mum is one amazingly scary woman. She saw right through me when we talked. If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was a Legilimens."

Georgiana giggled and Draco's smirk widened at the lovely sound. "Merlin I love that sound." He said with feeling causing Georgiana blushed prettily. "I'm sure your parents told you that I made the formal request to court you?" Georgiana nodded. "Good. Because I meant every word I said to your family. I know this seems sudden, and I'm sure we will have our share of disagreements as we are two very stubborn people, but I'm crazy about you Georgiana. When I saw you fall from Weasley's hex, my heart stopped. I know we can't change the past, but please give me a chance to be your future. I just want a chance."

Georgiana was surprised at the open expression of the wizard sitting next to her. She took her hand and gently cupped Draco's cheek, which caused him to lean in and sigh with contentment. "I told my parents I wanted the opportunity to see where this goes, Draco. I'm willing to give us a chance."

Draco smiled widely and leaned forward, kissing Georgiana softly. As soon as her lips touched his, he enveloped her into his arms and softly teased her lips with his tongue until she sighed and opened her mouth, giving him unfettered access. As the two of them kissed each other, both were unaware that someone had come back into the infirmary until they could hear that someone clearing their throat.

Looking up, Georgiana blushed when she saw Harry standing there staring at her with an expression of amused disgust. Malfoy just turned his head and glared at the Boy-Who-Lived.

"Excellent timing as always, Potter." Draco sneered while Harry just rolled his eyes at the blonde wizard.

"Forgive me Malfoy, if I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea of you snogging my best friend." Harry replied sarcastically.

Georgiana sighed loudly, managing to gain the attention of both wizards. "I'd like to remind you both that I am currently suffering from a concussion and am not able to listen while the both of you banter back and forth with each other. I am tired and would like to sleep now."

Both Harry and Draco looked away sheepishly. "Sorry." Harry offered and Draco just nodded and squeezed Georgiana's hand. "I'll be back first thing in the morning." Draco offered softly, which caused Georgiana to smile and nod in response.

When both wizards left the infirmary and were a suitable distance down the corridor, Harry threw up a muffliato, and turned on Malfoy. "I don't completely understand what in Godric's name is going on here Malfoy, but let me give you a friendly warning...If you hurt Georgiana, I will make you disappear. I'm the Chosen One, and I imagine I'd get a free pass if I decided to avada your sorry arse. I don't trust you, and I don't believe for one moment that this isn't some elaborate scheme to use Georgiana for your own gain."

Draco sneered at the Boy Who Lived and drawled lowly. "I don't give a fuck what you think Potter. Everything I've said today has been the truth. I don't expect your understanding nor forgiveness. The only person I'm concerned about is Georgiana. If she is willing to forgive me and give me a chance, I politely suggest you stay out of my way."

"Or what, Malfoy?"

"I guess that will remain to be seen, Potter." Draco offered condescendingly as he walked away from the bane of his existence. He knew deep down that Georgiana loved Harry like a brother, but frankly, he couldn't stand the git and thankfully he wasn't here at school to get in the way of his courting of Georgiana.

"I'll be watching you Malfoy!" Harry shouted as the blonde turned around the corridor to head back to the eighth year dormitory.