Nowhere but Up

Chapter 5 – First Kiss

Disclaimer: I'm really getting tired of these things, you know… my plot, J.K's characters.

Pansy's POV

I couldn't see anything except for blurred outlines of remote objects. The tears that were building in my tear ducts were obstructing my vision. Draco had been in St. Mungo's for three days, and all the while, I stayed faithfully by his side. The Healers still did not know his illness and why he would not wake up, and this unnerved me beyond no end.

One of the Healers working with Draco strode over to me. She bore a worried look on her face, and I knew that the news couldn't be very good if it had the Healers looking like that. "Miss Parkinson?" she said. Her voice was meek and childish, but held a certain strength, making her sound slightly older than the young thing she was.

"Y-yes, Madam Healer?"

"Miss Parkinson, Mister Malfoy isn't doing so well. Technically, he is fine, as his vitals all show, but…" Her saddened voice began to trail.

"But? But what?"

"But there is no sign of life. Yes, his brain is working at full capacity, but it seems that his heart is not. I say this is metaphorical terms, so not to worry. It seems he's suffered a massive blow to his emotions, which is what sent him into his kind of… sleep. I've seen this kind of thing occur in Muggle films. It seems that the only way to break this… how you say, curse, is for the afflicted being to be kissed by their true love."

I nodded. "Thank you, Madam Healer." I said, forcing a smile, desperately trying to raise spirits. "Perhaps I know just the person to break the curse. Then again, perhaps I do not. Nonetheless, please excuse me, I'd like a moment with Draco."

The Healer nodded and walked out of the secluded room Draco had been put in. Sun shone in brightly from the bay window next to Draco's bed. Somehow, the sun saddened me, and I would have thought it to raise my spirit. However, I walked over to Draco's side, and sat on the uncomfortably cushioned chair positioned next to it.

"Draco?" I said, though I knew it to be in vain. "I know you can't hear me, but any time you're ready, I'm ready to listen. This may not come to you as a shock, but I loved you since about our first year at Hogwarts. Nothing would have pleased me more than to be at your side, to be your girlfriend, to be the one you held dear in your heart. I leaned over him and my lips brushed against his. I drew back, and waited for a moment.

Nothing.

'Well, I knew it wouldn't work. It was worth a try, though, right?' I thought to myself. "Hold on, Draco. I'll be back with your real true love. I just hope I get back before… before your heart gives up hope."

Hermione's POV

"Rose!" I yelled, picking up the squirming five-year-old. "What did Mommy tell you?"

Rose sighed and rolled her eyes. "To not climb up the chimney."

"Good. Now go wash up. Your mother will be home any minute now." I heard a knock on the door. "You see? Now run along!"

Rose nodded and did so obediently. I walked to the door and flung it open, only to be surprised by the face of a blonde with sad eyes and a worried expression. "Pansy?"

Pansy grabbed my arms and flung me outside. "You have to come with me to St. Mungo's!"

I blinked rapidly and wriggled free of her grip. "What? What are you talking about, Pansy? Why do I have to go to St. Mungo's? Is everything all right with Draco?"

She shook her head swiftly. "No, he's not all right and that's the problem! But there's something you can do to help! Now you have to come with me to St. Mungo's now!"

Clearly, she was worried about Draco, but I shook off the burden and started back in the door. "No. I have two little girls that need to be watched and – DAISY! ROSE! – I'm sorry, but I have to go. Tell Draco I'm sorry for his condition and give him a hug for me. NO! STOP CHOKING EACH OTHER! I'm very sorry but I have to go. Bye!" I shut the door in Pansy's face and rushed over to the twins who were trying to kill each other, again.

However, once I'd gotten the twins pulled apart from each other, Pansy burst through the door. She did not want to give up and stated that she'd watch the two girls if I agreed to go to St. Mungo's. "Believe me, I'm great with children. I have four younger brothers and two younger sisters! Go! He needs your help!"

I sighed and nodded. "Oh, fine! Now what do I have to do?"

"Kiss him."

"What?"

"You heard me! You have to kiss Draco."

"Something tells me this is all just a big hoax to see if I like Draco enough to kiss him or not."

"Would I have spent an hour to find out where you were just to drag you down to St. Mungo's so you could kiss Draco and cure him if this were all just a big hoax? I think not! Now go! I beg of you!"

I nodded and got on my broomstick, headed towards St. Mungo's. It was quite late out and I was sure nobody would see me, hint why I didn't take the Knight Bus. When I got to St. Mungo's, they directed me towards Draco's room, and I stood there for a moment.

He looked sad, really. Something must have really been tearing him up inside, and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him that it was all better. I would have, had he not be asleep. So I walked towards him, slowly, unsure, hoping it wasn't a joke.

I leaned over him. His skin was milky soft under my fingers as I dragged them down his cheeks. Sitting on the side of his bed, I propped him up with difficulty. He was limp and pretty much lifeless. "All you have to do is kiss him." Those words were ringing in my ears as I brushed my lips up against his. They lingered there for a while until a tongue delved into my mouth and mine into the mouth the tongue had sprang from. I felt Draco's strong arms grip me and tilt me back, sending blood rushing to my head. It felt like a dream come true, really.

Finally, I pulled away and sat upright. I stared into his silver-blue eyes, mesmerized. He stared into my chocolate brown ones, also mesmerized. We sat like that for what seemed like hours, until a Healer burst in and ran over to Draco's side. "Oh my God! Young lady, you've cured him! What's your name?"

"Her-Hermione Granger, Madam Healer. And… and what do you mean by 'I've cured him'?" And then she explained it all. About true love. About how only true love's kiss could brake the spell Draco had been sent into. Then it hit me. He loved me too.