Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I make any money from the writing of this fanfiction
Chapter Eight
The next morning, Draco was awakened by the chime of someone trying to call through the Floo. Wrapping a robe around himself, he answered the call.
"This had better be good at this time of the bloody morning," he growled.
"And if I told you I might know a way to get Granger to help you?" Blaise answered questioningly.
"Come through and tell me about it. I need to get ready for the day in any case."
Blaise nodded, and Draco backed up so his friend could step through the Floo into the Manor. He opened his wardrobe to select his clothing, and laid it on the bed before taking off his robe to walk into his bathroom. He didn't take long finishing his morning routine, and came out to get dressed. Blaise gave a low sound of awe.
"One of these days, Malfoy, you're going to have to show me your workout routine. I can barely manage to define a four-pack in my abdominals."
"Quid pro quo, Blaise. Help me with this, and I'll write down my schedule for you."
"Deal."
"So what's your idea of getting Granger to help me?"
"The same thing you just quoted to me. Quid pro quo."
"Why don't you spell it out for me? I don't see what I can offer Granger to get her to agree to help me."
"First, I need you to swear you won't immediately lose your temper."
"It's that bad? Are you sure it's something I would even consider doing?"
"It's something you would definitely do, and yes, it's that bad."
"Fine, I swear I won't immediately lose my temper. Wizard's Oath."
"Take her on as a client without pay, in exchange for her helping you. From what I heard from a few people in the pub last night, she needs a bodyguard. Weasley put her in St Mungo's yesterday evening. Constables already took him to a holding cell at the Ministry."
"Let me be sure I understand what you just said," Draco said quietly, his voice filled with anger and disgust, "Weasley put his hands on a woman, in violence, and now she's in the bloody hospital?"
"From what I gathered from the gossip in the pub, yes. One of the holding cell guards was in there after his shift and was trying to sweet talk the barmaid."
"I'll have the workout schedule owled to you later today. As soon as I have breakfast, I'm going to St Mungo's. I don't care if she wants me there or not, Hermione Granger just became a client, whether or not she wants to be, because I'm not willing to contemplate what may happen if Weasley is released before the hearing on bail. And, Blaise…?" he said, to get his friend's full attention.
"Yes, Draco, what is it?"
"I never want to hear Ronald Weasley referred to as a man again. Any male who puts his hands in violence on a woman no longer has the right to call himself a man. Am I making myself clear?"
"Understood, because I happen to agree with you."
"Join me for breakfast, and you can tell me what else you picked up from the gossip. Any information is useful at this point."
Twenty minutes later, Draco was stepping out of the Floo at St Mungo's and walked to the Information desk.
"I'd like the room number of Hermione Granger, please," he told the witch behind the desk.
"What is your connection to the patient, please?"
Pulling a business card from his robe pocket, he handed it to the witch.
"I'm Miss Granger's new bodyguard. I'm given to understand she was injured, and may not be able to defend herself with her usual skill right now, so until the person who caused the injuries is dealt with, I'll be protecting her."
"Miss Granger's approved visitors are on a list, Mr.," here she paused, to look at the card, "Malfoy. I don't see your name listed. Mr. Potter is Miss Granger's emergency contact, and left the list last evening. You'll need to be added to the list by Mr. Potter."
"I see. And if I'm not mistaken, he would be here now, to make sure of Miss Granger's safety. Will you send for him, please? I'd like to get this settled as soon as possible."
The witch nodded, and sent the Patronus to send for Harry Potter. Draco didn't have long to wait, and held up a hand to forestall what Harry was about to say.
"Before you say anything Potter, let me tell you first why I'm here. I heard through the rumor mill what happened to Granger, and until she recovers, she won't be able to protect herself the way she would normally be able to, so, as a qualified bodyguard, I'm volunteering to do it for her. The only payment I'll ask is she helps me solve a problem of my own when she's recovered. I can guarantee that anyone trying to harm her until she's recovered and can defend herself again will need to go through me first."
"Before I say yes or no about you talking to Hermione, let me make a call to check your credentials, Malfoy. Then I'll give you my answer. Wait here and I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Agreed. I'll be waiting in the lobby at the entrance to this area."
Ten minutes later, Harry walked toward Draco, a look of surprise on his face.
"Well, according to Kingsley, you're one of the best. So what I'm wondering is why you never applied to the DMLE."
"Two reasons, Potter. First, I'm a former Death Eater, although it wasn't by choice I became one, and people tend to assume I'll revert to that behavior at times. Second, the representatives of the DMLE are a bit handicapped in that one, there aren't enough of you, and two, you can't legally bodyguard someone until something actually happens. I don't have that limitation."
"Okay, Malfoy, you've convinced me. Just one word of warning: most of her injuries are taking a while to Heal, so Hermione looks more than a bit worse for wear. So be prepared. She's also on some strong pain potions, so she's not her usual self right now."
"I understand. Before we go to her room, I'd like a copy of the visitors list you've cleared to see her. I'm asking now, because once we get to her room, I won't leave except by force, or unless I get taken down. My job will be to protect her, despite how I behaved in school, and if I'm not there with her, I can't effectively do that. So I need to know who's allowed in that room other than staff here."
"And you'll sleep when?"
"I have an assistant, a woman, who is just as good as I am. I can arrange for her to take the night shift. I've done it that way before when my client was female. And it doesn't take long for me to get to a client if my assistant says I'm needed there when she's on shift."
Harry nodded, and made a copy of the list for Draco, then turned to the witch behind the desk.
"Add Mr. Malfoy to the list. He'll be providing protection for Miss Granger until I say otherwise. Not until Miss Granger says otherwise, but until I do, is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter."
Satisfied by her response, Harry turned to Draco.
"Let's go to her room. Since I assume you'll be in that spot a while after today, I can have a chair placed just outside the room."
"That will be helpful, thank you."
"Wait, did Draco Malfoy just thank me for something? Has someone noticed the Second Coming of Merlin and not mentioned it to me?" Harry asked, grinning.
"Don't get all mushy about it, Potter, it's called common courtesy," Draco replied, grinning himself at the irony.
As they walked through the corridor, Harry noticed that while his head looked as though he was looking straight ahead, Draco's eyes never stopped moving. From his Auror training, Harry knew Draco was making note of every exit and blind spot. The fact that he was possibly already planning escape routes for Hermione was a good sign.
"One question before we get to the room," Harry said, turning to look fully at Draco's face.
"What is it?"
"How are you going to continue to protect her once Hermione is released?"
"Simple. I'll stand guard outside her flat, or just inside the door, under a Disillusionment charm. I modified the one I use to avoid the shimmer in the air associated with that spell. No one will realize I'm even there until it's too late. Even if someone casts a spell to reveal living things."
Harry stopped, and nodded toward a door. From his watching during the walk, Draco knew they were in the Severe Trauma and Injuries Ward. He mentally began simultaneously preparing himself for his first view of Hermione's injuries, and planning various Muggle methods of protection to incorporate as well. Because when a witch or wizard became unstable enough to use Muggle methods of causing harm to someone, you had to be ready for anything.
"Harry, is that you?" Hermione called out, hearing voices outside her door. She was still scared that anytime the door opened it would be Ron.
"It's me, Hermione, plus one other person, but don't worry, it isn't Ron," Harry said, opening the door.
They walked in, and Draco immediately pointed his wand at Harry. He avoided looking at Hermione until verification was completed.
"Granger, ask him a question only Harry Potter can answer, please."
"Um, what was the only O you received for your O.W.L. exams?"
"That's easy, Defense Against the Dark Arts. I got extra credit from Madam Bones for being able to conjure a corporeal Patronus. Umbridge wasn't happy about it, but couldn't change the examiners' minds."
"You're definitely Harry."
Draco nodded and lowered his wand.
"Your turn to test me, Potter. Not for your own peace of mind, but for Granger's"
"What injury did you get in third year?"
"I got two injuries that year if you don't count Quidditch. The first when the hippogriff injured my arm when I insulted him, the second when Granger broke my nose punching me the day the thing escaped when it was due to be executed."
"That's Malfoy, but why is he here, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"The Constable made a good suggestion yesterday. So until further notice, or this mess with Ron is resolved and I know you're safe, Malfoy is your bodyguard. And believe it or not, he volunteered for the job."
"Harry, I can't fucking afford a bodyguard. Even if I wanted his help."
"Don't worry, Granger, you can afford me. You see, I thought we'd trade services. I have a problem that I need your skills in research and spotting patterns others miss to resolve. For your help with that, I'll be your bodyguard, and won't charge a single Knut."
"Remember, Hermione, the war is over." Harry reminded her.
"Before I answer yes or no, I want to know why he hasn't looked at me yet."
"Simple, Granger. I need to keep my mind clear to do my job well, and seeing a woman who has been injured through violence gets me to the point of seeing red. I'll be able to calm down enough to do my job, but I don't need the visual right now, thanks."
"Fine, we'll trade services, if only to keep Harry from nagging me about it."
"I'll be just outside the door, Potter. She may not agree, but one thing I'll be doing is tasting any food she's brought before it's given to her. I've lost count of the number of times someone tried to slip a potion into a client's food."
"You don't actually think Ron would…"
"From what I've been told, we already know he's capable of putting his hands on a woman. I can't see him being squeamish about trying to slip her something to prevent the hearing from even happening."
"Well, I can see why Kingsley said you were one of the best. I need to check in at the office, and I'll be back in about two hours."
"I'll be just outside the door, Granger. I'll hear you if you need me, so just say my name."
Harry and Draco stepped outside the room, and Draco pulled a card from his robe pocket. Writing a note on the other side, he handed it to Harry.
"This needs to get to my assistant, so she knows to be here tonight. It goes to the address on the other side of the card. Will you send it for me? I don't want to leave Granger alone long enough to use a St Mungo's owl."
Inside the hospital room, Hermione couldn't believe the situation she was in. Afraid of her fiancé because he kept hurting her, and being protected by Malfoy, of all people.
