I can't find the rhyme in all my reason
Lost sense of time and all seasons
Feel I've been beaten down
By the words of men who have no grounds
Can't sleep beneath the trees of wisdom
When your ax has cut the roots that feed them
Forked tongues in bitter mouths
Can drive a man to bleed from inside out
What If ~ Creed
Hermione arrived at the hospital, clutching George's hand. She didn't want to let go. She may be a Healer, but her ability to distance herself from patients was non-existent. It'd be worse with Draco. He was her friend, or at least, he was becoming her friend.
"You'll be brilliant," George whispered as if sensing her fear.
Before she could reply, Toadface came barreling down the hall with a scowl on her face. Her eyes landed on them and Hermione knew they couldn't avoid the unpleasant woman. George squeezed her hand to offer silent support.
"Ah, Miss. Granger," she said with a cruel smile. "I might've known you'd show up. A Death Eater is injured and you come running."
"Miss. Bones asked me to consult and deal with the family," Hermione replied, keeping her voice calm and level. "As you're aware, I'm acquainted with the Malfoys."
The cruel woman snorted. "I'm well aware of your unfortunate association with the Malfoys, Miss. Granger. Thanks to you, that Malfoy woman has been a drain on our recourses for months. Now her Death Eater son is following in her footsteps."
"The Malfoys are entitled to medical care like the rest of the magical community," Hermione sighed. She didn't want to spar with this bitch. She wanted to see Draco so she'd have something to tell Harry and his parents when they arrived.
"The only thing they're entitled to is a life sentence in Azkaban."
"The courts disagreed with you. Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Just a moment," Toadface snarled before Hermione could rush down the hall. "We need to discuss your serious lack of professionalism. What are you wearing? And really, bringing your boyfriend to work?"
Anger flared and bitter words were on the tip of her tongue, but George stopped her from speaking.
"Actually, Madame Umbridge, I'm here to see you," George said sweetly, dropping Hermione's hand. "I'd like to apologize for my blatant disrespect the other day. Please, walk with me."
He took her arm and led her down the hall. So shocked, Toadface followed without comment. Equally shocked, Hermione watched them go. Just before they disappeared from sight, George turned and winked at her.
A part of her wanted to chase after them. There was no doubt George was up to something. But she really had more pressing concerns than George's unique brand of humor.
She was about to begin her search for Draco when Susan came rushing towards her. Hermione was surprised to see her friend looking disheveled and stressed.
"Hermione," she cried, "I was starting to think you weren't coming. I know Draco Malfoy isn't your favorite person, but you've been so involved with his mother's care; I thought you'd want to be here."
"I do," she insisted. "I just got held up by out charming boss."
Susan rolled her eyes. "She's been making the rounds tonight."
"Did she cause Draco trouble?"
"Well, Draco hasn't been conscious since he got here, but Toadface wanted to leave him lying on the steps to bleed to death."
"Bitch."
Hermione felt a sudden need to protect Draco. She didn't see him as the little boy who bullied her anymore or even as the terrified young man who nearly killed Albus Dumbledore. He was Narcissa's son, Harry's lover, and maybe even her friend.
"What happened to him?" she finally asked.
"Looks like he attempted to cut the Dark Mark from his arm and passed out, either from pain or blood lose," Susan told her.
"What?" Hermione stared. "Why would he do that? He had to know it was dangerous. You can't just mess with dark magic. Why risk it? He's been happy. At least, as happy as he can be under the circumstances. And Narcissa. He'd never want to upset her."
"I didn't know you'd gotten so close to him," Susan replied with a raised eyebrow. "Anyway, I don't know his motivations. It appears that he was drunk though."
"Brilliant," Hermione sighed. "He's going to be okay though, right?"
Susan hesitated, looking towards the floor.
"Susan."
"I don't know, Hermione. He won't wake up. He's lost a lot of blood and we can't heal the wound. He's still bleeding heavily. There's some magic in the Mark that we can't control."
"Are you saying he could die?"
Harry.
Narcissa.
"Bulstrode's with him now." Susan took her hand and led her down the hall. In a daze, Hermione followed. "She's a strong Healer, Hermione. There's no reason to think she can't get this under control. I'll take you to him."
They wandered through the bleak, colorless halls. Everything blurred together. Hermione could only think of Harry, Narcissa, and even Lucius. If they couldn't save Draco, how could she tell them? How could they get through it?
Susan pulled her into a room where she saw Draco stretched out on a cot. His eyes were closed and his complexion was even paler than usual. The only color came from the bloodstained sheet covering his body. Bulstrode leaned over him, bandaging his injured arm.
"Granger," she said, glancing up. "It's about bloody time. I thought I'd have to deal with this kid's lunatic family."
"Is he okay?" Hermione asked, keeping a safe distance from the bed.
"Well, I can't fix the fact that this kid is obviously an idiot," she said as she finished with the bandage, "but health-wise, he'll be fine. I stopped the bleeding with a rare ointment, but the wound will have to heal naturally. When he wakes, he'll need Blood Replenishing Potion."
Hermione sighed in relief. Tension left her body that she didn't even know was there.
"How did you know what to do?" Susan asked. "I thought I tried everything."
"I didn't," Bulstrode replied with a shrug. "In all my years as a Healer, I've never seen someone attempt something so foolish. This boy is alive because of dumb luck, Miss. Bones."
Hermione smiled, remembering the words of McGonagall all those years ago. Dumb luck had been saving her and her friends since their first year at Hogwarts.
"Miss. Granger, shall I assume you'll be taking over this case?" Bulstrode asked.
"Yes."
"Very well. I'm not sure when he'll wake, but watch him through the night. If all seems well, send him home in the morning."
Hermione nodded.
"And don't let well wishers smother him," she added. "He's likely to be disoriented when he wakes. One family member can sit with him - no more."
Again, she nodded. Harry and the Malfoys would have fun working that out.
The three Healers left the room together and were greeted by Harry and the Malfoys. Bulstrode and Susan walked off, leaving Hermione alone to explain. Susan didn't even take the time to wonder why Harry was there.
Hermione looked at the three terrified faces. All three of them were keeping a safe distance from each other. There was no doubt that it was going to be a long night.
