Chapter 27: Ward 50

Hermione scanned the letter, for the poor little thing couldn't read. Hermione could see Darla looking curious and at the same time anxious at her.

"What's is it, miss Hermione Granger? Is it a letter from Master Draco, miss?" she asked worriedly.

Hermione looked at the letter, then to Darla, "Er- no, Darla. It's a letter from- erm- his friend Harry. Draco's at his place right now. I'll go get him, alright? You stay here, OK?"

Darla looked hopefully at Hermione, who was hoping Darla wasn't suspecting she was lying. Darla nodded...

Hermione stuffed the letter in her pockets, just in case, and grabbed her wand from her pocket then apparated.

What did Draco do now? What could possibly have happened?

No. Hermione's not worried. She's just helping Darla...yeah, that's what she's doing.

Oh no. I hope Draco's not too hurt... Hermione told herself, but slapped herself mentally. Somehow, Ron's words came across your mind a few years ago when Hermione had returned a little silver necklace.... 'Or you shouldn't have stopped by at all, Hermione! So then you could've kept that necklace of his and leave him to his misery!' ...

Misery ...

-

Hermione landed shortly in front of an abandoned building. She passed through the doors and walked in the large lobby of St. Mungo's.

She walked up to the front desk and was given a visitor's pass. The lady gave her a small piece of paper where Draco's room was written.

Hermione climbed the flight of stairs until she reached the fourth floor, with a sign on the door that read: Spell damage

Hermione raised a brow and looked at the piece of paper...it's the same floor...spell damage? What could've happend? Draco couldn't have gotten himself into a duel...could he?

Hermione looked at her piece of paper again: ward 50, "Serious: Private" Dilys Derwent Ward: Unforgivable Curses.

Hermione's heart leaped. Unforgivable Curses? Oh no... what had Malfoy gotten himself into now...

Or perhaps...what had Hermione gotten Draco into?

--

She knocked softly on the door and a tall, male healer had opened it.

"May I help you, miss?" he asked nicely, as he held his clipboard between his arms and hips.

"Er- I'm...I'm here to see D-Draco Malfoy?" Hermione knew she had said it loud enough when she heard a loud thud from inside. She tried to peek in but the healer was too large that he covered up the whole doorway. The man turned to the source of the noise and shook his head.

"You're not helping yourself heal when you fall off beds, Mr. Malfoy."

After a few murmers and growls from inside the room, Hermione straightened herself up as the male healer swung the door open and finally let her in.

"You have a visitor-"

"I got it up to here thanks, Clark." Draco grinned at Hermione, rubbing the back of his neck in humiliation.

Hermione gave out a small laugh and walked towards the single bed. The room was big and nice, for only one patient. The bed laid beside the window and tables were everywhere. Hermione could see the bathroom just ahead, and portraits hung on the walls. Draco's pillows were high and he had a cast on his right arm. His blankets were tousled and Hermione figured it was because Draco had fallen off his bed.

"Hi..." she said softly.

"Hi" he replied and gave a slight smile.

Nobody talked for a few seconds but Draco had a feeling Hermione knew what she was going to say. Hermione sat on the chair beside the table. Draco wanted to sit up but she shook her head. Without hesitation, she put her hand on his cheek and burst out in tears.

"What? What's wrong, Hermione?" Draco asked gently, placing his left hand on her shoulder.

"I didn't have time to get you a present-" she sobbed and Draco laughed.

"Don't worry about it-"

"I didn't even get you one for Christmas...what kind of person am I?" she turned her head to a different direction, but Draco used her chin to turn back and look at him. He wiped her small tears with his thumb and smiled.

"...and...and...this had to happen! I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." she bawled as Draco pulled her close to him for a warm embrace.

A second later, Clark the healer had come in, but as he saw the scene, he wore a funny expression on his face and immediately turned back.

"Don't cry, Hermione. It's not your fault..." Draco whispered, as he tried to keep up with his grasp with only one hand. "I don't like seeing you cry"

Hermione pulled back and pulled her knees on the chair, and tried to look for what words to say- "Are you OK?"

Draco nodded tediously, "Yeah, I guess..."

Hermione looked at her shoes... "I've bee- I mean, Darla...has been worried for the last three days. And you haven't owled or anything-"

"Do you think I can really owl in this condition? Nobody's been visiting who's willing to owl for me, except for mother. I can't write with my left hand-"

"What happened?" she asked him worriedly. But Draco pulled his head up and looked at her uncertainly.

"Well I..."