"Your friend came by the shop last night." Granger's eyes met his as they paced the grounds of her campus after Saturday afternoon yoga, and Draco's brows jumped up in surprise. "Harry."

A slight swell of nerves darted through him. "I wasn't aware he intended to do that. What did he say?"

She gave a sort of noncommittal shrug. "He just wanted to talk." Snagging her bottom lip between her teeth, she tensed and turned to face him; Draco came to an abrupt halt. "I hope you aren't upset. I thought he might have tried to talk about the past, but..."

"Of course I'm not upset," Draco said, releasing a breath. "I only wonder why he didn't tell me."

"I don't think he was..." she glanced away, spots of pink brightening her cheekbones. "I don't think he was coming on to me or anything like that."

Draco snorted, shaking his head. "I would kill him if he was." When her eyes widened in surprise, he added, "Not because of you. Potter's dating my best mate, Theo."

"Ah," she returned with a giggle. "Noted."

"And besides―as far as I could tell, Potter always viewed you as a sister more than anything else."

"We were that close?" Her eyes remained on him as they began to walk once more.

Slipping his hands into the pockets of his joggers, Draco nodded. "Yeah. You were about as close as friends get, I'd imagine. You know―without crossing any lines. Although I guess I can't say that you didn't―"

"Draco." She thinned her mouth into a grimace. "This isn't helping."

"Right." He squinted up into the sunny sky. "Yeah, you two were close. Went through a lot together. Honestly, I think Potter just wants you in his life again. I told him you weren't interested in digging up the past and that he would just have to respect that."

Her face softened. "Thank you. I appreciate that." A smile pulled at her lips, and she added, "I should like to meet Theo if he's so important to both of you."

Draco barked a laugh and offered her a grin. "Theo's interesting, to say the least. But I'm sure that can be arranged if you want. He'll remember you from school, but you two didn't know one another very well."

"Have you told him about me?"

The question caught him off guard, but her eyes carried a sort of flickering hopefulness that made him force a cumbersome swallow.

"Potter did, initially―about the fact that we found you in London," he said, dragging a hand along the back of his neck. "But yes. We've talked about you. He'll be happy to actually meet you."

"As what?" The words fell from her lips as scarcely more than a breath, and Draco's heart stuttered in his chest.

It felt like a test; he knew it was a test. But there was nothing manipulative or untoward in her stare, simply curiosity. Even so, Draco couldn't quite manage the way his heart leapt into a gallop. He had never been good at relationship things, and for more reasons than he could rationally understand, he didn't want to mess things up with Granger. Not when there were already so many cards in play against them.

"I don't know," he breathed at last. "Whatever you want." With a gulp, he pulled her hand into his but couldn't quite meet her eye. "As my girlfriend?"

A gentle smile lifted to her face. "I think I like the sound of that."

Draco pressed a brief kiss to her temple. "Good."


"Auror Malfoy."

Draco froze, glancing up as he paced across the Auror's Office, trapped in his own thoughts. After his conversation with Granger that weekend, he'd been emotionally wrought over the idea of arranging a meeting with Potter and Theo.

And the thought of calling her his girlfriend. Draco couldn't remember the last time he'd introduced a woman to anyone, let alone Theo. Never mind the additional complications that came with the matter.

He straightened, turning towards his superior as Robards approached. "Yes, sir?"

"I hoped to speak with you," Robards clipped, adjusting the dark frames perched on his nose. "If you have a moment."

"Of course." Even if Draco were caught in the middle of an emergency, he wouldn't have denied Robards. Especially not when he knew his presence in the department had been hanging by a thread. He followed the man towards his office, sinking into the visitor's seat at his desk as Robards sat down with a huff.

"I wanted to debrief following the situation last week." Leaning forward in his seat, Robards peered at Draco over his glasses in a way that left him nervous. "Regarding the visitation with your father."

Draco swallowed but offered a nod―surely, Robards could have received a less biased account from one of the Aurors who had actually been on duty. But before he could respond, Robards pressed on.

"I'm told your conduct was admirable and befitting of your position in the department." Robards adjusted his glasses once more and leaned back. "Even during an altercation where your father approached you."

"Thank you, sir," Draco replied, feeling a tight breath sink from his lungs. "As I'm sure you can imagine, my father isn't exactly keen on my career choice."

Robards cracked a rare grin and chuckled. "I'm certain he isn't." Folding his arms across his chest, he assessed Draco in that same manner that would have made him squirm if he hadn't been so tense in his seat. "You know, Malfoy, when I decided to allow you into the training program, many of the administrators were shocked―and some were downright opposed to the idea."

Draco swallowed, feeling a prickle of nerves seep in. "I'm not surprised, sir." Many of his colleagues still expressed open distrust towards him.

"Do you know why I went ahead with the decision anyway?" The question felt rhetorical, so Draco simply lifted his brows. "Because I believe in second chances. I could see the desire to prove yourself as something more than your decisions as a boy, and I respected that. But still―most didn't understand."

"Thank you," Draco said quietly. "I appreciate that."

Robards' gaze landed on his as the man leaned forward in his seat. "As a result, Malfoy, I've had to hold you to a higher standard than some of the other Aurors in this office. I know I don't need to tell you that your spellcasting still isn't at the level where I need it to be to advance you as a fully certified Auror. The simulation results speak for themselves."

Draco's heart plummeted into his stomach at the words; a sheen of perspiration lifted on his brow. For all of his efforts, it still wasn't enough. Idly, he wondered if he had finally run out of chances, and he was about to be released from training. The idea hurt more than he had expected.

But the man's face softened, and he lowered his voice. "I need you to prove me right in keeping you on, Malfoy. I can't keep vouching for you forever, and if no one trusts you to watch their hide in the field, I can't send you out the door."

"Yes, sir," Draco breathed, the words bitter on his tongue. "I swear I'm working on it, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get to that point."

"I know you are." Robards' lips thinned in an apologetic grimace. "There are things that matter more than getting it right at the very start. Like character. And from what I'm told, you demonstrated your character during the visitation last week. It can be difficult to stand up to the ones who influenced us for so long."

Despite the nerves that chased through him at the acknowledgement that he still wasn't where he needed to be, Draco inclined his chin. "I appreciate that."

"Never mind Potter insists you've got what it takes," he went on, clasping his hands across his front. Surprise darted through Draco at the words. "At any rate―you're close, Malfoy, and I know both of us want you to get there. So get there, yeah?"

A breath of relief fell from his lips. "Yes, sir. Thank you."

Without another word, Robards merely flicked his hands towards the door and drew a sheet of parchment towards him. Scarcely allowing himself another breath, Draco rose from his seat and slipped from the room.

As he walked by Potter's desk, Draco came to an abrupt halt. "Please tell me you'll work with me today. I feel like the vultures are beginning to circle my career as an Auror."

Surprised, Potter glanced up and checked his watch. "I'm on patrol this afternoon, but I have some time this morning."

"Good," Draco huffed, "and Granger wants to meet Theo."

A low snort broke from Potter, and he shook his head. "She's in for a treat." Then he leaned back in his seat. "Don't tell me you want to arrange some sort of double date."

Draco offered him a grimace. "That's exactly what I'm telling you."


As it turned out, Theo was thrilled by the plan for the four of them to go out. However Draco suspected it was less of an interest in actually meeting Granger than simply being included in the situation after so long.

After reminding Theo that Granger still claimed she didn't believe in magic―and that they hadn't yet gone out of their way to prove it to her―the four of them met at a restaurant in Muggle London a few days later.

But upon seeing her, Theo had simply stared, wide-eyed, for longer than was rational or sane.

Draco winced, clapping Theo rather hard on the shoulder. "Theo, this is Hermione."

A wry smile pulled at Granger's lips as she offered a hand; fixing his face into stoicism, Theo shook it a little awkwardly as she said, "Pleasure to meet you. I'm told we already knew one another some years ago―I hope you'll forgive my forgetfulness."

Although Draco knew the situation stung her more than the flippancy she displayed, he appreciated her effort.

Theo clamped his jaw shut with an audible click. "It's nice to meet you."

Rocking on her heels, Granger slid her hands into her pockets and offered Draco a thin smile. "So this is fun," she announced, and Draco placed a steadying hand to the small of her back. He could only imagine how she felt, surrounded by people who had known her―albeit in different capacities―years ago when she didn't remember any of them.

Thankfully, the concierge arrived to lead them towards their table, and Draco dropped into the seat beside her. Minutes later, a server came by to take their order.

"So, Theo," Granger began with another nervous chuckle as she sipped from her glass of water, "why don't you tell me about yourself?"

With a wince, Theo took a deep swig of his own ice water. "Not much to tell, honestly. Mother's dead; father's in prison."

Her eyes shot wide with a muttered, "Oh goodness."

"Our fathers were colleagues," Draco announced into the awkwardness that had become their gathering. "In case you were wondering why they're both imprisoned. And that's how Theo and I came to know each other as boys."

"That must have been nice," Granger offered in a placating tone.

Theo's gaze drifted to Potter, who had observed the entire exchange with an uneasy look on his face. "Yeah, sometimes." He dragged a hand along the back of his neck. "My father was always a bit of an arse, so we usually spent most of our time in Wiltshire."

"A bit," Draco echoed with a snicker.

"I met Theo's father," Potter interjected at last, "on a routine inspection last year. A bit is an understatement."

Idly, Draco wondered whether the group of them together might overwhelm Granger, especially since she didn't understand their world, and her frame of reference for existing didn't include fathers in high-security prison cells.

But she only released a laugh and asked, "Are you in law enforcement as well, Theo?"

"No," he returned, drawing out the word. "Not even close. I am presently unemployed."

"Right," Granger responded, offering a bright smile.

Draco could see the discomfort heavy in Theo's tense form, and he wondered whether it was due to Hermione's presence alone or the fact that she didn't remember any of them. Or due to the fact that she didn't know about magic and he didn't know what would be an appropriate discussion.

"I'm looking into options, though," Theo pressed on, and Draco's brows lifted in surprise. It wasn't something they had discussed yet, though, by the look on Potter's face, he could tell the other man already knew. Draco felt a twinge of irritation that Potter knew more about his best mate than he did, but he supposed he wasn't one to talk when he'd been spending plenty of time with Granger. Squinting in consideration, Theo added, "Trying to get on with a chemist."

Draco stared hard at him for a moment, and Theo's lips thinned with an apologetic grimace.

He had always had a knack for potioneering when he applied himself, but the last time Draco had mentioned pursuing a mastery to work in the subject, Theo hadn't cared for the idea. Maybe his suggestion that Theo finally find a job had sunk in more than he'd realised.

Or maybe the decision was related to Potter's influence.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful," Granger announced before Draco could say anything on the matter.

Before the group could descend into a borderline awkward silence once more, the server returned with their food.

Granger's foot nudged his below the table as she chewed a bite of her chicken, and a hopeful tilt lifted her brows when he caught her eye. Although she had done well in masking her unease with the situation, he knew it couldn't be easy for her to be around several people who had all known her in a previous capacity.

Theo and Potter talked between themselves as they ate, and Draco pulled Granger's hand into his with a brief squeeze.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly so only she could hear him.

Although her eyes were a little overly bright, her nod a little too voracious, the smile that tugged at her lips was genuine. "It's a lot," she breathed, "but yes, I think so."

He caught her stare again as he bit a morsel from the tines of his fork and ducked his chin as he chewed. "I'm proud of you."

Granger's eyes only lingered for a moment longer, and he thought she might wave him off, but she released a heavy exhale. "Thank you. I'm glad you're here with me. To help me through this." Her expression faltered as she drew in a breath, and she added quietly, "It's nice to feel like I'm not so alone."

His heart clenched at the words, and he ducked in, brushing a kiss against her temple. "You're not alone." When he drew back, he found Theo's gaze on him, a sparkle in his eye; but shortly thereafter, he returned to his conversation with Potter.

And Draco felt a little lighter as the rest of the meal went on.


I had fun last night. Thanks for having so much patience with me.

Draco couldn't help the smile that pulled at his lips as Granger's message buzzed through his phone. He paced the maze-like network of corridors at St Mungo's that he had memorised well enough only to pay half a mind to his steps. Pulling open the message, he began to type a response―he had grown proficient enough at sending her messages that it wasn't such an arduous task anymore―and breezed along the hall to his mother's room.

"Draco."

His mother's soft voice drew his attention and surprise. Most of the time, when he came by, she was asleep, and it was rare for him to catch her already awake without having to wait.

But before he could do anything, she pressed on, a disdainful edge rising into her words he hadn't heard in a while. "What are you doing? What is that you're holding?"

Exiting out of his half-composed response, Draco slipped the phone into his pocket. "Nothing. Communication device."

With any luck, his mother wouldn't know anything about Muggle gadgets and let the topic go. She only settled back into her pillows with a huff. "Ministry expects you to work all hours, I imagine."

He didn't correct her as he slipped into the seat at her bedside. "I'm going to take it as a good sign that you're awake and talkative." He met her weary blue gaze, taking her hand into his. "How are you feeling?"

"Miserable. These blasted healers have no―"

"Mother." His mother so rarely cursed; he ducked his chin and gave her hand a warning squeeze. "These healers are keeping you as healthy and comfortable as they possibly can."

"I simply don't understand why I must remain here at the hospital."

He blew out a breath; some days, he preferred when his mother was too worn out to argue. "Because when you were at home, you weren't doing well."

"I'm not doing well here."

Draco stared at her for a moment, clenching his jaw. "If you'd like to return to having live-in healers at the manor, I'll speak to Healer Brooks to see if that can be arranged. But need I remind you, you weren't happy there either."

Disdain only drew at her face once more as she folded her hands across her middle, and her eyes slid shut. "While we're on the topic, it's time you return home, Draco. You've made your point by running off, and now it's time to take your responsibilities seriously."

He drew in a long breath, staring at the ceiling for a moment. "Are you really going to do this again now?"

Aggravation prickled along the surface of his skin. He was definitely beginning to wish he hadn't come by or that he hadn't been allowed visitation.

"You act as though you have no regard for your duties."

"Right," Draco drawled, "take up the family seat, marry some woman, produce at least one male heir―"

"Not just some woman," Narcissa pressed with a long sigh. "I don't understand why this is so complicated for you to―"

"There's nothing complicated about it," Draco ground through clenched teeth, "aside from the fact that I've told you I'd select the person I want to marry when I am ready. And still, you refuse to listen."

"It isn't your choice to make, Draco! You do not get to simply pick whichever woman catches your fancy!"

Her bright blue eyes locked on him again, anger flaring in her face, and Draco swept a hand through his hair as he rose from his seat. "Obviously, I chose a bad day to visit. I'm glad to see you're doing better."

One of the healers on duty fluttered in, shooting Draco a look, before rushing forward to perform several magical diagnostics on his mother. "You mustn't aggravate her," the girl said softly. "This is the most lucid she's been in days."

"Alright." Draco lifted his hands in surrender. "I was leaving, anyway. I'll see you again soon, Mother."

Narcissa settled into her cushions once more, her lips pursed. "Goodbye, Draco."

So much for a potentially amenable visit for once. His mother had scarcely been able to open her eyes the last time he had been by to visit, and now when she was awake, they couldn't even carry a proper conversation.

Almost instantly, guilt crept in as he swept from the room, but he didn't understand why she insisted on debating the matter so often.

"Mister Malfoy."

Draco froze at the corner, turning abruptly to find Healer Brooks approaching. Draco nodded in acknowledgement. "I was just in to see my mother. She's surprisingly coherent―and argumentative."

A frown tugged at the man's lips. "Yes. There's been... a development."

At Brooks' tone, Draco's entire body tensed. "What sort of development?"

"Perhaps we should go to my office―"

"Or you could just tell me here." Draco thinned his lips as he lifted a brow. "What's wrong?"

Brooks glanced either way down the otherwise empty corridor. "Very well. Mister Malfoy, the illness that has attacked your mother's magical core has taken an aggressive turn. It has begun depleting the magic within her. We can stay the intensity and the spread of it with potions and treatment, but it appears all we're doing is delaying the inevitable."

The words rattled through Draco's head as though trying to fit in gaps not made for them. "And the inevitable is..."

With another hard look, Brooks said, "That she will lose her magic. Permanently."

Permanently. It felt like he had taken a Bludger to the chest, and for a long moment, he only stared at the man, lips parted as he searched for something to say.

"It's why your mother's energy has been so low. Her system is funnelling all of her strength into fighting off the infection, but it's taken a toll. Over the past few days, her magical core has been significantly affected." The man's face drew into another grimace. "And she, of course, hasn't been pleased about it."

A heavy, rattling breath fell from Draco's lungs. "And long-term? She won't have any magic at all?"

"As far as precedent shows, no. There isn't any known cure, Mister Malfoy. The best we can do is to keep her comfortable."

Draco scarcely dared ask. "And longer term?"

He could see the answer plainly on Brooks' face before the man even opened his mouth, and Draco's heart tightened as his stomach churned with a sudden and intense bout of nausea.

"I'm sorry, Mister Malfoy," Brooks said at last. "It is highly likely this illness will claim your mother's life once it's through with her magic."

It wasn't as though he hadn't suspected. Brooks had been upfront about it before.

But hearing the words so plainly, knowing the infection had begun to take a physical toll on her magic, caused everything within him to roil against them. It explained why his mother had decided to renew her insistence that he select a proper, pureblooded bride and proliferate with due haste.

"Alright," he choked out. "Thank you." Brooks' gaze remained locked on him, though the pity in the man's stare didn't grate as badly as he suspected it might. With another long, steadying breath, Draco nodded. "She doesn't want to stay here. "

"I know." Brooks pursed his lips, measuring the words. "And at this point, I don't know that we can offer her a level of care any more proficient here than she can receive at home."

Draco understood well enough what he meant to infer. That all they could offer her at this point was the comfort of her own home. "Do you have a time frame?" he asked, dreading the answer.

"Months. At best."

"Months," Draco echoed, the word jamming in his dry throat.

Brooks dropped his chin. "I am sorry, Mister Malfoy."

"She's still so young," he croaked, his heart already mourning the long life his mother could have—that they had anticipated her to have, until recently. "I don't understand how there is nothing you can do."

"We have already pursued many avenues, I'm afraid."

Draco dragged a hand through his hair until he realised he was shaking, so he shoved his hand into his pocket. His fingers brushed the mobile phone, and it all felt like a cruel joke now.

"You don't have any other contacts you could reach out to, or―" He fell silent at the look on Brooks' face, and now the man's sympathy felt rotten and only for someone other than him. "Right. You already have."

"Rest assured, Mister Malfoy, that we will not give up on your mother's case. If any new options arise, we will certainly look into them. But for now..."

"Right." He could taste bile on his tongue, his heart racing and mouth dry; his head spun. "Thank you for your time, Healer Brooks."

Before the man could respond, Draco spun on his heel and paced down the corridor, blind through the tears accumulating in his eyes.


Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading! As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and all of your lovely reviews and comments mean so much to me!

Alpha and beta love and hugs to Kyonomiko and FaeOrabel, respectively.

I posted about this on twitter a few weeks ago, but I wanted to test the waters here as well. Once Adrift is completed, I'm debating the idea of writing a small series of drabbles/one-shots from Hermione's POV to highlight some of the key moments in her life while all of this is happening. Is this something people would enjoy? Thanks!

Come holler at me on twitter (indreamsink)!