Just when I thought Reading Week would help me, I unfortunately caught a cold at the weekend and I was so sick that I did not want to do anything. I did not even cook! (I didn't starve myself, I cook corn soup in the microwave.) And the bigger problem is that 3 essays and 1 presentations (my group mates have not started working at all and Thursday is the deadline!) are waiting for me. Well, to be fair, the essays are due in December and January but then, I should really start working on them, because the odds are rarely in my favour.
Also, I am going to Frankfurt Christmas Market this weekend with my friends, so just spare me for this weekend for 0% progress on writing the next chapter~
For days, Hermione kept on thinking about the fortune teller's words, the gypsy seemed to know her life, as though monitoring her all the time. But the moment when she thought of her words about love, she shuddered. Lucius Malfoy and Hermione Granger! This was never the right combination. Firstly, he would not have any interest in her. Secondly, she had no interest in him. Thirdly, even when they were together, Narcissa would always be in between them. It would simply be impossible and unfeasible.
Just when she was contemplating, someone nudged her on the shoulder.
"Hey!" said Kath. "What happened between you two?"
"What?" said Hermione, confused.
"You and Malfoy!"
Hermione glanced at Lucius' office, he had his eyes closed, meditating, just like what she had done.
"Let's grab a snack," whispered Kath and she pulled Hermione to the pantry.
As Kath was making coffee, Hermione asked,
"Would you believe that me and Malfoy are on a date?"
Kath chuckled, then said,
"Not now, but maybe in the future."
"How so?"
"Well, if you are in love with someone, you don't address people with their last name, do you?" said Kath and she gave Hermione a warm swirling cup of coffee.
"But how do you come up with the conclusion of 'maybe in the future' ?"
"He's a single man and you're single, so it can happen. But well, nowadays even those who are married also date someone behind their partners' back, so generally speaking, anything can happen."
"Perhaps you are right…"
"Come on, if you really like him, give it a try."
"Huh?"
"Now you mention it, I think you actually look compatible with him."
"Don't be silly—"
"I am not silly!" exclaimed Kath. "I am just being reasonable, that's all. Something must have told you that you may fall in love with him, that's why you ask me in the first place. Nothing comes from nothing."
"Since when you become so philosophical?"
"You just never take time to notice."
Hermione took the coffee, gazing at the swirling powder dissolving, she thought of the fortune teller's words again.
"You may feel him ruling 'with an iron fist' but he will let you see his reason, when you are ready to accept him."
Come on Hermione, she told herself. Pull yourself together! You aren't supposed to fall in love with him!
She walked out of the pantry and went back to her seat. Despite of the coffee, she could not seem to focus on her work. It took almost an hour for her to regain concentration and incentive, she first typed the article about the last interview, then she began sending invitations to potential sponsors as Lucius had ordered. She received emails right away, as though people had been waiting for her invitations.
Though Kath urged her to dine out along with the other colleagues during lunchtime, she decided to skip lunch, hoping that nobody would be in the office, then she could finally have relaxation. Just when she stretched her limbs, her phone rang. Unwillingly, her fingers reached for her phone and stared at the screen.
Diana.
She swiped across the screen and said,
"Diana."
"Hello? Is this Ms. Hermione Granger?"
"Yes?" answered Hermione, shocked to hear a stranger's voice.
"Your sister Diana is involved in a car accident and she is seriously injured. We are currently heading to Queen Anne's Hospital."
"What?"
"We advise you to come as soon as possible."
"Yes, I will."
Soon as she hung up, she sped out of her office and hurried downstairs. As she sprang out of the door, she crashed into a man in black suit.
"Ms. Granger—"
"I will come back later!"
She pushed him aside and hurried out of the gates. Soon as she hailed a taxi, she said,
"Queen Anne's Hospital."
"BP 80 and 60—"
Hermione went past the patients and medical staff, soon as she dashed to the reception, she blurted,
"Excuse me, where are the patients of the car accidents?"
"Please calm down—"
"Any relatives or friends of Ms. Diana Granger?" yelled a voice from the right.
Quickly, Hermione raced towards the voice and answered,
"I am her sister."
"You're the sister of Ms. Diana Granger—"
"Yes, how is my sister."
"She has a fracture in the ribs, causing pneumothorax. Also, she has huge blood loss, which is critical to her at this stage."
"Her blood type is AB Rh negative."
In between the medical staff and Hermione was a moment of silence.
"Are you sure, Ms. Granger?"
"Yes," replied Hermione. "I remember that well."
"Is your blood type also AB Rh negative?"
"No, I am Rh positive."
"In that case, it would be even more challenging," explained the staff. "We do have supply for this blood type but it may not be adequate for her. But we would do our best to ask for donors through the media."
"Thank you!"
Hermione thudded onto the wall. Never could she imagine Diana seriously wounded in a car accident. If only her blood was Rh negative, then she could easily help her.
Then, a familiar voice echoed through the room and she looked up,.
Lucius Malfoy.
He dashed through the crowd and talked to one of the medical staff. The staff was more than delighted and hurried led him to Hermione.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy agreed to be a donor."
She gazed at him, then he said,
"Don't worry about it."
Following the staff, they went to the table and the staff confirmed his blood type. Then, Lucius wrapped his sleeve and a nurse pinned the needle onto his skin. Fresh red blood slowly dripped into the bag, gradually his face turn paler and paler.
"Sir, are you feeling comfortable?" asked the nurse.
"Yes," answered Lucius with a strong tone. "I can donate blood to the maximum limit."
The nurse nodded and after the job was done, Lucius stood up and leaned against the wall, staring at the bag of blood.
Hermione bit her lips, she never imagined Lucius would be her sister's life saver. First he gave Diana fifty thousand pounds to repay the debts, now he donated blood to her! How could she ever repay the gratitude? And come to think of it, how could she repay? Giving him back one whole bag of her own blood?
She took a step up to Lucius and whispered,
"Thank you."
"Is that all?" asked Lucius.
"Huh?"
Lucius stared into her eyes. Hermione bit her lips, then with huge courage, she stood on her toes and her lips lightly touched Lucius' pale lips. Then she hurried to the seats outside the operation theatre, busily texting.
