Title: Healing Hermione
Author: Kassandra Ramsey
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my imagination.
Chapter 3
"Are you going to sleep all day?" Draco Malfoy complained from the door of Blaise's room.
"Bugger off, Malfoy!" Blaise groaned, willing himself back to sleep.
"No can do," he replied, before climbing onto the bed and jumping like he was on a trampoline.
Blaise sighed heavily as his body was continually jarred from Malfoy's bouncing.
"What are you, three years old?" he complained, swatting him with a pillow.
Draco grabbed another pillow and soon they found themselves in the midst of a cloud of feathers as an all out war broke out.
For a moment they were kids again. Just two friends having a pillow fight. No Voldemort, no Death Eaters, and no war.
It was over all too soon.
"I was sent to wake you. Everyone's leaving soon and Poppy's back. She needs to talk with you."
Blaise nodded, and turned to study his friend. He looked paler than normal, and his eyes held a sadness Blaise had never seen on the cocky blond.
"What's wrong?"
Draco looked down and picked at a loose thread on the blanket while he spoke.
"I didn't make it back in time last night. Dad figured out that I saved Granger."
"What? What did he do?"
"I thought he was going to kill me. But he just kicked me out. Said he never wanted to see me again, and that he no longer had a son."
Blaise was stunned silent for a moment.
"Are you okay?"
Draco sighed, and finally looked up.
"I don't know. I mean, I know that I did the right thing. I never really cared all that much for Granger, but I couldn't just let them kill her. Not when I could do something about it."
"We're seventeen; we shouldn't have to make these kinds of choices."
Draco just nodded, bleakly.
"Where will you go?"
Draco grimaced.
"Dumbledore is sticking me with Potter."
Blaise laughed at that.
"I'm glad you find it amusing! We're staying at some hidden property he inherited. The Weasley's will be going back home and Granger will be here for the rest of the summer, so I won't have to worry about them hanging around."
Blaise stiffened.
"What's wrong with Hermione?" he asked, feeling defensive.
"Calm down. I have nothing against Granger or Weasley. It's just that since I switched sides they haven't exactly been very welcoming, that's all."
"And Potter has?"
Draco blushed and looked away.
"Sweet Merlin! You fancy him! You fancy Harry Potter!"
"Could you say that a bit louder, Zabini? I don't think Snape heard you down in the dungeons!"
Blaise started laughing so hard he felt tears forming in his eyes.
"What about Granger?" Draco asked, smugly.
He instantly sobered.
"What about her?"
"You fancy her."
"She's my patient, Malfoy, nothing more."
"Yeah, right. That's why she's currently wearing your clothes, and singing your praises to anyone that will listen."
"What?"
"Oh, yeah. She just loves relating how you gave her the shirt off your back after expertly healing every scratch on her body."
"I'd have done that for anyone in my care," he said coldly.
Draco snorted, and then studied him for a minute.
"If that's the case, you might want to tone down your bedside manner. It wouldn't do to heal your first patient, but leave her with a broken heart."
"I thought you didn't care about her."
Draco sighed again and looked Blaise in the eye.
"She and I are fighting on the same side now. I guess I have to care a little. You would too, if you were on her side."
Blaise looked away.
"My situation is not the same as yours. My dad might be a Death Eater, but my mum's not. And neither are my sisters. Once I become a healer, and can afford to take care of them, I'll get them away from him. Then I'll go to Dumbledore, and do whatever he wants. But I can't now. I can't join your team, because by doing so I'll be turning my back on them."
Draco put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You're right mate. We're too young to have to make these kinds of choices."
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Poppy had been very pleased at her young apprentice's work.
"Excellent work, you are well on your way to being a fine healer."
Blaise couldn't remember the last time he'd blushed so much. Then again, he couldn't really remember the last time he'd been complimented so much.
"Mr. Zabini, I'm going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."
He raised an eyebrow, but nodded.
"Do you think you can handle looking after Miss Granger for a few weeks?"
"I don't..." he began, but she cut him off.
"If I'm asking too much of you, just say so. However, you did such a fine job last night, and I am quite anxious to get back to my daughter. She is about to deliver her first baby any day now."
Blaise wanted to say no. He'd been so relieved to hear she was back. He was ready to go back to studying, and staying away from tempting Gryffindor know-it-alls. Draco had been right; he was starting to fancy Hermione Granger. He'd kept telling himself he was merely concerned because she was his patient. But one did not dream of their patients the way he'd dreamt of her today.
So, instead of begging Poppy to stay, he forced himself to give her a reassuring smile.
"I'm sure I can manage just fine."
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"And you'll owl if you need anything?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking sternly at Hermione, and then Blaise.
"I'm sure we'll be fine," Hermione said, trying not to roll her eyes.
The truth was she felt a lot better. Her breathing had greatly improved, and she was in no pain at all. She just had to keep herself from getting too excited or emotional.
She sneaked a glance at Blaise who was making his way toward Poppy's desk, and away from all of her family and friends. She felt her cheeks flush and scowled. This little crush of hers better not get out of hand, it could really be the death of her.
Blaise looked up from reading Hermione's file that had been given to him by Poppy before she left, and was surprised to see Harry Potter standing in front of the desk.
"You'll take care of her? Keep her safe? She's my best friend, Blaise; I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her."
"She'll be fine, Potter."
"I guess I'd feel better if I knew what side you were on," Harry commented, glaring at him.
"Choosing sides is what gets us and the people we care about hurt in the first place," he snapped.
Harry stepped back like he'd been slapped. His green eyes filled with guilt as he looked over at Hermione in the hospital bed.
Blaise sighed, and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'll keep her safe and healthy Potter. And you'll keep Malfoy safe and healthy. Deal?" he asked, holding out a hand.
Harry watched as Hermione gave Draco a quick hug as she thanked him for saving her, and then turned back to Blaise.
"Deal," he answered solemnly, shaking his hand.
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"This is delicious! I thought you said you couldn't cook anything but toast," Hermione commented between bites of chicken noodle soup.
"I can't. Dobby made it. He came back early when heard about you being stuck here. You have an awful lot of friends," Blaise said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes.
He'd been researching Hermione's condition for hours now.
After everyone had left, she'd fallen back asleep, and he'd hit the books. Dobby had brought the soup by just before she'd awakened. He was thankful they wouldn't have to rely on his cooking skills to see them through the rest of the week.
"Blaise, can you hear me?"
Her voice woke him from a doze, and he wondered how long she'd been calling his name.
"What?"
"I said I'm feeling a lot better now, and would like to try and take a bath. I'm filthy."
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She'd only had to lean on him a little as they made there way to the bathroom. He'd filled the tub for her, and she'd shooed him out, insisting she was capable of bathing herself.
Still, he sat in the floor right outside the bathroom, instructing that she call him if she needed anything.
He dozed off again, and was surprised that an hour had passed when he awoke.
He stood up carefully, feeling the aches in his legs and back at being in one position for so long.
Blaise knocked on the door.
"Hermione? It's time to get out," he called.
A minute passed before she responded.
"I can't."
She sounded defeated.
"I'm coming in," he announced, then opened the door.
She was lying in the tub, the bubbles hiding her body from him. She looked exhausted and a little scared.
"I'm sorry. I was feeling better, and now I'm just so tired. I can't get out."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"It's okay. You need to stay calm and keep breathing evenly. I'll help you, Hermione, that's what I'm here for."
He pulled the plug, and the water began to drain away.
Hermione pulled her knees toward her chest, and crossed her arms over her breasts.
Blaise grabbed a towel, handed it to her, and turned away.
She hastily wrapped it around herself.
"Okay."
He turned around, and scooped her up into his arms.
She leaned her head against his shoulder as he carried her back her bed.
He dug around in the trunk her parents had brought and found a night gown, and a clean pair of panties.
He slipped the gown over head, and pulled the towel away, much like he'd done while dressing her this morning.
He slipped the panties up her legs, and she automatically lifted her hips so he could slide them into place.
He tucked the blankets around her, making sure she was comfortable.
"Blaise, I'm sorry..."
"Shh. Just get some rest, Hermione. We'll talk in the morning."
He kissed her forehead, and she closed her eyes.
It was two hours later when Blaise finally discovered what was wrong with her. He had been reading her medical file. Poppy had made several notes of Hermione's symptoms, and conjectures as to what her problem might be.
He triple checked his notes and findings, before sitting back in shock. It wasn't her lungs, or her liver, like Poppy had suspected. It was her heart.
TBC...
Gratuities:
GrapeStarburst: Thank you! I don't know how detailed I'll get with Harry/Draco, but I'll definitely hint at it.
naughtygrl: I agree! I wonder how you go about getting a character added to the list.
Sarahamanda: Thanks. Blaise will make the right choice, but it won't be easy.
Invisible Voice: I brought the idea of H/D up a little in this chapter. We'll see how it goes.
im no muggle: Thanks. Writing Blaise is really a lot of fun. I think I might be addicted.
JeanB: Thank you. I'm so glad you're enjoying it. I'm hoping that Blaise turns out to be the HBP too! Hopefully we won't have to wait too much longer to find out.
Inell13: Thanks so much! I'd love to submit to another archive, unfortunately, erases any web or e-mail address in reviews or when you post. Anyway, I'm sending you an e-mail for more info.
Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's: Thanks, I'll probably move forward with The D/H.