A/N: Another Chapter. I would have been early but due to all the rioting my mind just hasn't been up to it. There have been riots in 3 surrounding towns of mine and rumours of two others. Hope everyone is safe. I've not been able to write more to my other stories but I'll hopefully update them tomorrow.

Disclaimer: Not me, It will never be me. Not with these characters anyway. Maybe someday with my own work.

Trouble in the Sweet Shop

Chapter 6

Hermione spent the next 3 weeks putting everything into her work, working full time she now had a bigger case load of patients but Malfoy had still not woken. She found it comforting to talk to him, she didn't speak to many people from school as many were the year younger and had returned to Hogwarts. She had received a letter from Ron a week ago saying they were fine and that work was so busy and private that they couldn't write much, but he ensured her that he loved her with all his heart. This only made her cry again.

They had worked out what was wrong with Malfoy, he had been poisoned with a paralysis potion, as this was a homemade potion the healers were working around the clock on an antidote. Hermione was done for the day but often stayed behind to talk to Malfoy, she found a little bit of comfort talking to someone who couldn't hear.

"I don't know how it will work out, I mean what if he is gone for a few years. He might have changed, I might have changed. he might be dating someone by then...and what if.."

"Granger will you just shut up for 5 minutes?"

Hermione's head snapped up, but Malfoy still wasn't moving and his eyes weren't open. But it was his voice for sure, she took his hand, which didn't bother her anymore.

"Malfoy, can you hear me? you feel that?"

"Yes I can bloody hear you, I've been able to hear you for the past hour, and get off my hand, don't wanna catch your muggle germs"

"Still an insensitive prat then? I've been helping you out for the past 3 weeks and this is the thanks I get?"

"3 weeks? I've been here 3 weeks? Where's my mother?"

"We couldn't get in touch with her, we have been searching" She let go of his hand and stood, now he was awake she didn't know what to do, should she call someone, talk to him, ask him how this happened? She was also a little embarrassed he had heard her for an hour and not said anything sooner.

"Oi, earth to Granger"

"What?" She snapped back to reality and was slowly realising he was the same old Malfoy.

"Turn the light off, it's blinding in here, whose smart idea was it to have a blinding light on in a place like this?" She flicked her wand and the lights dimmed, he slowly opened his eyes to find a bushy haired witch in his face.

"Malfoy, do you know who did this to you?"

"What's it to you? I thought you were a healer not an auror?" The same quick witted Malfoy lay there and Hermione was a little disappointed, after all she had spent 3 weeks talking to him, he was the only one she could talk to.

"Malfoy I need to know, we need to find a way to reverse these effects. You've been paralysed by some sort of potion and we need to know exactly what was in that potion to work out an appropriate antidote."

"I don't know" Malfoy's face sunk, Hermione believed this was the real him. "One minute I'm out having a quiet drink and the next thing I know I'm in here, hearing your rambling about Weasel." Hermione nodded, she knew he was scared, there was no possible way to know what he was given and he probably didn't know who it was. She stood and smiled at him, it was a smile of pity. He may be an annoying ferret but he had been attacked and that was confusing and a little bit scary. Hermione then exited the room.

After informing a higher Healer who was currently testing Malfoy, she went for a break intending to return after the Healer was done.

"Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy has had numerous testing and I think we are now able to complete the cure, he should be fine within a few weeks. We would still like you to make sure he is fine as this time will be very stressful for him." Hermione nodded and returned to Malfoy's room.

"How are you doing?" Although he was now awake, she still felt comfortable enough in talking to him.

"Well lets see, I'm stuck in a bed with you for company, forgive me if I'm a bit grumpy" Hermione knew he hated this but she was a little happy that he had woken.

A simple anti-paralysis potion was concocted with added ingredients of Valerian roots and Asphodel, usually found in the draft of living death. Adding this would ensure that Malfoy regain full use of his body, however the main question for the department of magical law enforcement was who gave him this potion and why. Hermione had nothing to do with that though.

However for Hermione, she still had a week until the potion would be brewed correctly and so she was keeping Malfoy calm or as calm as he could be with her for company.

"Do you need anything Malfoy?"

"You out of my life?"

"Funny!" She continued her work around his room and making sure he was getting enough food and liquid. The potion had left his complete body paralysed, however he was able to move his head. He was getting used to Hermione being around all of the time, he was secretly enjoying annoying her though as it was the only thing he had to look forward to. He didn't get any visitors and his mother had yet to be located.

A week later and Malfoy was almost ready to go home, he had one day left before his anti paralysis potion was complete and he couldn't wait. He had explained that his mother was probably away on one of her impromptu holidays in Italy, where the Malfoy family had a cottage in which they stayed regularly throughout the year. He would have to check she was OK when he was released.

Hermione was in the reception area talking with the receptionist.

"Hermione?" She turned around and was greeted by Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, Dean had his arm in a sling after visiting a muggle hospital and Seamus had persuaded him to get it fixed, quick and easy at St. Mungos.

"Hi" She greeted them both with a hug "how have you been?"

"Good, you know just having a little time off before we start work, went on holiday you?"

"Well yeah I've been OK, been busy with work, come this way and we'll sort your arm out" They followed her down the hall into a spare room where Dean sat on the bed.

"How's Harry and Ron?"

"They were OK last I spoke to them, they're working in France as trainee Aurors now, so it's just me and I don't really talk to anyone from school." Hermione looked over his arm to check where the break was and took his cast off, she cast a quick charm to fix it and gave Dean some potion for the pain, waiting for it to take effect, "Well maybe when in the holidays, we could all catch up with a few of the old D.A members" She loved that idea so she smiled and nodded and left the room and headed to Malfoy's for the first time today.

"OK then Mr Ferret lets get you sorted and then come tomorrow you're out of my hair." She smiled to herself and checked him over.

"Thank god, I thought you'd just kept me in here longer just to punish me" Hermione laughed and the door opened.

"Hermione, we'll be going now" She turned to see Dean and Seamus, she walked over to them and hugged Dean, it wasn't uncomfortable at all, they had been friends for years and had shared a house with these people, she turned to Seamus who hugged her and lifted her slightly. She laughed. Malfoy had been watching this scene and although he hated Hermione, something inside him was stirring. Was he jealous? He had had Hermione's full attention for weeks and he didn't want to admit it but he kind of loved it. She wasn't the same when Potty and Weasel were away.

"OK, Owl me when you think of some plans" The boys smiled and left, leaving her to turn around and face Malfoy.

"OK so I'll see you tomorrow for your potion" He nodded and she walked out, had he really thought she was OK?

A/N: So there we go, hope you like it.

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Love Ya

DD

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