A/N: I'm updating so soon this time because I missed updating like 2 days in a row. I really hope you guys like it, there are a few things to do before Hermione and Draco get together.

Disclaimer: I wish

Trouble in the Sweet Shop

Chapter 5

Hermione stormed out of the room and into her healer.

"No way, not a chance in hell. I am not having him as my first patient"

"Miss Granger, this is a hospital and I would appreciate it if you lowered your voice. What seems to be the problem?"

"Malfoy seems to be the problem, I'm not treating him, no way"

"Miss Granger, you have been given your patient and if you can not learn to put your own issues to one side then I suggest you find another profession" Hermione stood frozen, she put her head down, she knew there was a possibility she was going to have to treat somebody she didn't like. She walked back into the room to face Malfoy.

He was still, laying there with his eyes closed and his face calm. He looked peaceful and it was possibly the nicest way to see him at the moment. She wondered what he would say, had he known she was his healer.

"Hey ferret" This was stupid, talking to a person barely there. The door opened and her healer's voice could be heard "Grab his hand Hermione, ask him to squeeze for a response, he may be paralysed but there is a good chance he could wake at any moment" The door shut and Hermione looked at Malfoy's hand, she slowly lifted her own and grabbed his, flinching at the response, laughing to herself at the look on Malfoy's face if he woke now and saw their holding hands.

"Malfoy? Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can here me?" Nothing.

"Oi, Ferret, wake up" This was boring, she set about cleaning his wound, it was bleeding pretty badly and so she spent most of the time trying to stop the flow before finally bandaging it up. She was happy for the quiet time, time to think about Ron and what she was going to do about their relationship. She began to talk, not to Malfoy in particular but to herself, out loud, this would be a great time to weigh up options and nobody could tell her she wasn't doing her job right.

"What do I do? If I stay with him, I have to face a lot of time without him. It's a very demanding job and we won't spend much time together, plus long distance relationships never last. If we split up, I lose the best thing that had ever happened to me. Who can I even talk to about this?" She finished her job and went for her break.

Throughout the day she was given another patient who needed a simple healing charm, before she was made to check up on Malfoy again. Still finding it strange to talk to him, she began speaking of her own problems and coming to a decision of what to do about Ron.

"I don't think it will work so far apart. I mean I want him to stay but who am I to crush his dreams?" She knew what she had to do, it was going to kill her but she had to do it. If the tables were reversed, she would have done the same thing.

Hermione spent the next few days getting used to talking to Malfoy, he still hadn't woken up yet but it was great just being able to talk to someone, even though he couldn't hear her, she felt she was getting all her emotions out.

It was Thursday night and Hermione had helped Mrs Weasley tidy after dinner, she then went to Ron and Harry's room, knowing they were making sure they had everything. She knocked and stuck her head through the door. Ron smiled and Harry was looking around for things. They had obviously left it until the last minute to pack which made Hermione smile.

"Ron, can I talk to you for a minute?" He looked at her and saw the look of worry, he put his clothes down and walked over to Hermione's room, they sat on the bed and she started.

"Ron, I want you to know that you mean the world to me" He smiled and lent forward to kiss her but she moved back. "I can't do this"

"What? Hermione if something is wrong just tell me?" She looked at Ron with tears staining her face. This was killing her but it was for the best.

"Us, I can't do it anymore. We won't last and I'm afraid that if we try and make it work it will ruin the friendship we have."

"Why are you doing this?" He looked at her, all smiles gone now and his eyes began to water.

"because I can't stop you from living your life. You could be gone for years and I don't want you to feel obligated to be with me. We will argue because we haven't seen each other and I can't lose you as a friend. Please forgive me?"

"I won't go. Hermione if it means losing you, I won't go. I'll stay in the Ministry, change jobs. I don't care"

"No, if I had this opportunity, I would want you to do the same. Please Ron, just go, be happy and who knows, maybe you'll find someone over there."

They were both crying now, Hermione put her arms around him and hugged him, she had never seen him like this and she hated herself that it was she who did it.

"Never, Hermione it will always be you. I promise."

"I'll still be here when you get back, but we have to go our separate ways for now." She knew she shouldn't have gave him this hope, but maybe they could be together when he got back.

The next morning was one of the worst Hermione had ever experienced, she had cried most of the night and had called in sick because she was exhausted. She was standing with the Weasley's saying their goodbyes to Harry and Ron, who promised would be home for Christmas. She held on to both of them so tight she never wanted to let go. Before departing, Ron slipped a letter into Hermione's hand, telling her to read it when he's gone.

She watched as they apparated away and tears were flowing from her eyes. She walked back into the house and straight to her room. Opening the letter it read.

Hermione,

I know we said we wouldn't be together whilst we were apart but you have to know that you are the only person I ever want to be with. I love you with all my heart and i will be thinking about you every single day.

I love you

Ron

She spent most of the day crying until sleep finally claimed her.

A/N: Another Chapter, what do you think?

Review?

Love Ya

DD

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