Seeds of Seduction

Chapter 19: St. Mungo's

Hermione opened her eyes blearily to the light shining above her face.

"Do you think she's OK," whispered a familiar voice to her right.

"I hope so," said the voice next to him.

Hermione mumbled incoherently and moved her head so she was away from the light. He buried her nose in the pillow and turned slightly.

"She's moving," exclaimed the voice again.

Hermione winced as the voice vibrated in her head. Internally groaning, she turned around and opened her eyes blearily. At first, all she saw was a mop of black and red. Blinking rapidly for a few minutes, she was able to trace the signature green eyes of Harry. Sure enough, glued to his side was Ginny. Next to her was Ron who was looking rather worried. There were dark circles under his eyes and his pupils looked tired. His clothes were wrinkled but when he saw her hazel eyes, his face broke into a watery smile.

Hermione barely had time to breath before Ron's arms were surrounding her. Choking, she weakly hugged him in return as he clutched her.

"Ron," chuckled Harry, "You might want to let her go. It's not helping her frail condition."

Blushing slightly, Ron backed off. Hermione smiled weakly at her friends.

"What happened?" asked Ron seating himself gingerly on the edge of Hermione's spotless bed. He gently smoothed Hermione's hair from her forehead onto her head. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Hermione closed her eyes tiredly and relaxed as she felt his hands caress her forehead.

His hands were rather rough unlike those of Draco. A small smile flitted across her face as she recalled his hands massaging her head after he had saved her life. His touch always made her relax and sent a tingling feeling down her spine.

"Mione," prodded Harry coming around to the other side of the bed, "C'mon, please."

Hermione sighed and opened her eyes. Reaching over pat Harry, she picked up a folded copy of the Daily Prophet that was lying on her side table and threw it on Harry's lap. She fell back onto the bed and closed her eyes. Her bed rose as Ron got up and walked over to Harry's side. Ginny took his spot and rubbed her head. Sighing, Hermione buried her face in the pillow and turned over.

Harry frowned and picked up the newspaper. The next second his jaw dropped and his eyes grew wide.

Dead Body Found at The Leaky Cauldron: Mystery Ensues

By Anjali Bansal- Reporter of the Daily Prophet

At 10 o'clock, a scream echoed throughout the Leaky Cauldron. Upon rushing there, a gruesome sight awaited us. The dead body of a young woman was lying facedown in what appeared to be her blood. The young lady was later recognized as Lavender Brown.

Autopsy reports indicate that there was no sign of poison or alcohol in the young woman's body. She appeared to have died of natural causes. Researchers at the Ministry have not yet determined whether this was a murder or a natural death.

Ron's jaw dropped his eyes moving to stare at Hermione.

"She didn't.." he gasped.

"I think she did," breathed Harry looking dumbfounded.

"Hermione," breathed Ron, "She did this for me? I…." He trailed off.

Silence fell in the room as the three stared dumfounded at the body that was rising and falling as she exhaled and inhaled.

"Excuse me," said a voice from the doorway. Harry looked up and saw a nurse carrying a tray of medicine and a bouquet of red roses and a card.

"Oh," said Harry standing up, "We were just about to leave."

"Thank you Mr. Potter," said the nurse smiling, "It's time for her medication but you may visit tomorrow at 7 o'clock."

"We'll be here," promised Ron as he came around the bed.

Harry and Ginny exited the room hand in hand and shut the door behind them. The nurse gently prodded Hermione who moaned and simply turned over. The nurse chuckled.

"A young man dropped her off today in the morning," she confided to Ron, "He told me that she was a big sleeper."

"A young man," muttered Ron suspiciously as the nurse tried to arouse Hermione from her slumber.

"Did he have bleached blond hair and gray eyes?" asked Ron narrowing his eyes.

"Why yes, as a matter of fact he did. He was rather tall and extremely good looking," answered the nurse.

Ron's eyes became slits. Why had Hermione spent the night with Draco? There was no reason for her to become so closely intimate with that bastard.

His thoughts were disrupted by a small yawn coming from the bed. Smiling, though it didn't reach his eyes which were slabs of ice, he smiled at the now awake but extremely weak Hermione.

"Hey," he said leaning over and kissing her forehead.

"Hi," she said smiling, "Where are Harry and Ginny?"

"They're outside," answered Ron, "I just wanted to say bye to you. I'll see you tomorrow at 7."

"Sounds great," agreed Hermione, "I'll see you then."

Ron walked towards the exit contemplating whether to talk with Harry and Ginny about the time Hermione was spending with Malfoy.

"They're so beautiful," squealed Hermione causing Ron to pause with his hand on the door. "Who sent them?"

"A young man who wished to withhold his name. He was tall, muscular, blond, and had gray eyes," described the nurse smiling happily at Hermione while she fixed her medicine.

"Oh Draco," gushed Hermione running her hands over the soft petals of the scarlet roses.

Ron felt a wave of fury erupt throughout his body. How could she sit there so ecstatic about roses that Malfoy had sent? And since when had they been on first name terms? Scowling, Ron left the room slamming the door behind him.

Meanwhile, Hermione removed the card that was attached to the vase and opened it. She gasped with delight as a bid glittery pink and gold card fell out. Brushing the glitter from the bed, she opened the card.

My Hermione,

How are you feeling? I miss you so much. I have a special surprise for you tomorrow evening. I know you'll love it. I talked to the nurse and she said that you'd be better by tomorrow. I'll be there to pick you up at 6:30 so be ready!

Yours truly,

Draco Malfoy

"Oh can I go?" asked Hermione to the nurse practically jumping in the bed.

"If you spill this medicine, you may not," joked the nurse handing her a small plastic cup filled to the brim with a bright purple medicine.

Hermione carefully drank the liquid and shuddered at the vile taste that overtook her mouth.

"There," said the nurse, "It's 11 o'' clock at night now. You should rest now. Mr. Malfoy was kind to bring several books and magazines."

Hermione gasped as her copy of Pride and Prejudice fell on her lap. Gingerly, she picked it up and fingered the flawless cover of her book. It was in the same condition that she had given it to him. She wondered if he had even read it. Upon opening the book, she caught an inscription of cursive in the front flap. Slamming it shut she turned and faced the nurse who was next to her.

"Thank you," she said smiling sweetly, "If I need anything I'll call you."

"Yes," acquiesced the nurse nodding to Hermione before she swept out of the door.

As soon as the door shut, Hermione slouched down and opened the book. Sure enough, in his perfect inscription was a message from Draco.

My Dearest Hermione,

I have read so many books in my lifetime but this one takes the prize. I have never read a book that mirrors my life and yours so perfectly. When I first met Mark Darcy, I was immediately reminded of my father. Pride and material well-being was all that mattered to him. Unfortunately, I grew up believing those principles as well. What I hate most is that I began to see everything through his eyes; money, power, blood. When I read about Elizabeth Bennet, her character immediately reminded me of you. You're as lighthearted, as beautiful, as hard working as she. You know, I read this book the first day you gave it to me. When I first read about the proposal of Mark Darcy's to Elizabeth I felt that she was an idiot for scorning him. She was only saying the truth after all about her family and her connections. He was offering her more power, money, and influence. He hated her initially because she wasn't as rich as influential as he was. But after a while, the scathing remarks that he made towards Elizabeth had a bigger impact. I began to think less of Mark Darcy after he scorned Elizabeth.

But within it's pages; I could see our relationship mirrored with theirs. I was the proud, arrogant one and you always poked fun at me with your smart on-liners. I usually responded with that one remark I had. Mudblood! Because I had nothing else to tease you with. I knew that that word was the only way I could truly wound you to your heart. You had brains, brawn, everything I didn't possess. There was only one thing I had that was better than yours; my blood. And as time passed, I realized that that didn't make a difference. You were smarter than me in spite of the fact that I was a Pureblood. Similarly, the only way Mark Darcy could hurt Elizabeth was through her lack of power, connections, and wealth.

Thank you for this book. It's truly beautiful. It's opened my eyes and I truly thank you for that. No one else has been able to. Thanks.

Draco Malfoy

Hermione shut the book smiling. Holding the book, close to her heart, she turned over, shut the lights, and closed her eyes. Relaxing, she fell asleep to the sound of her heartbeat.

. & .

"What should I wear?" cried Hermione standing in front of her bed in a towel.

Her bed in the hospital was covered with gowns of different colors and styles. Yelling, she buried her hands in her hair.

"Red," she muttered," Nah."

"Excuse me," said the soft voice of her nurse, "If you're not sure what to wear, always wear the basic black. It goes with everything."

Grumbling, Hermione finally conceded. Rummaging through the pile on her bed, she extracted a strapless long black gown. It was glittery until the bottom of her bust and plain black until her toes. Hermione pulled it on in the bathroom and then came out. She surveyed herself in the mirror. Nodding approvingly, she rubbed lavender lotion on her arms and legs. After fastening her black cloth stilettos, she grimaced as she caught sight of her hair.

She carefully applied creamy cream-colored powder to her eyes and an earth colored lipstick to her lips. She carefully outlined her eyes with brown eyeliner and applied black mascara. She straightened her hair so it fell over her shoulders gracefully.

"Draco's going to fall on his face when he sees you," said the nurse in awe. "You look like an angel."

"Thanks," said Hermione beaming. "Now jewelry time! I have perfect onyx earrings and a necklace."

Hermione screwed the chandelier earrings onto her ears and the necklace.

"You should go outside," said the nurse. "It's 6:30. He'll be here soon."

"Ok," said Hermione looking at herself one last time in the mirror.

Grabbing her black beaded handbag from the dresser, she ran carefully out of the room and to the waiting room. Seating herself, she waited patiently until the door swung open. Sure enough, he walked in. Hermione's face broke into a wide smile as she got up and walked towards him. Draco's face broke into a similar grin as he caught sight of his date.

"Oh Hermione," said Draco walking up to her and handing her a dozen white roses. "You look. I can't even describe it."

"You look perfect Draco," said Hermione.

She couldn't deny it when she saw Draco tonight; he looked amazing. His muscular body was fitted in a black tuxedo and his black tie stood out from his gray silk shirt. His blond hair was splayed over his forehead.

"Don't I get a quick kiss?" pouted Hermione cutely.

Draco laughed and kissed her sweetly.

"Let's go," said Draco wrapping his arm around her waist.

A/N: Hey! Thanks so much for the reviews. It made my birthday so much happier! The reviews are really making me work harder on this story to produce better writing. Thanks so much for the encouragement and words of advice! It's much appreciated.

Sorry for updating so late. My mum and dad are so fixated on SAT prep that I could choke them. Plus chemistry AP is killing the crap out of me. Then I had major tests and it was a best friend's birthday! Sorry for the delay. Please forgive me!