Hello all, so sorry for the lack of updates recently… The world has not been kind to me and my creativity is waning slightly, but I've been reinvigorated! Please enjoy this drama-filled chapter! Thank you for the comments, favorites, and follows! This story is now up on AO3 for those who prefer that platform over this one. It is also called "A Guide to Loving Monsters" and my username on there is EllesaraLikesPudding.
~Enjoy
It had been weeks since she'd last seen Draco Malfoy. Not that she particularly wanted to see him, at least, that's what she kept telling herself. For some inexplicable reason, part of her missed him. She reached out to him by owl and waited late at the clinic, but he never responded and he never came.
She wasn't stupid. He was the mystery client Pansy had given her. The client was close friends with Pansy and a pure-blood. Unless Pansy had other pure-blooded vampire friends, it had to be Draco. Vampires weren't uncommon, but they weren't exactly prevalent either. Pure-blooded vampires… almost unheard of.
It made sense why Pansy was so worried when she said she'd talked to him, and the conversation she eavesdropped into. Hermione was slightly hurt that Pansy hadn't told her, but she let it go quickly because the last thing she wanted to be was a hypocrite. Draco was no different to Hermione because he was a vampire. While she was curious how it happened, it didn't matter. Not right now at least.
Pansy hadn't asked her about Malfoy, probably under the assumption that Hermione didn't know about his status. Hermione didn't ask Pansy about him in return, she figured Draco would tell Pansy about it when he was ready.
Hermione tried not to think about it too much, of course, she failed every time. The events of that night replayed over and over. She knew vampires. Blood to them was addictive and impossible to part with. She was impressed with Malfoy's willpower and his ability to compose himself before a mistake turn into a disaster.
He'd sent a Ministry owl to the clinic the day after the ordeal, stating that an owl would collect the patient's information every day in his stead. This upset Hermione, one at Malfoy's cowardice, and two, that private information being in transit with a Ministry owl. She did as she was told and every day she sent them information as requested. It also worried her. This went against the terms drafted in the new contract. It would fall on her that she wasn't seeing the patients be transferred directly to Malfoy. For all she knew, the owls could've been dropping them off in the dumpster outside the clinic.
—
It was any other day at the clinic until the daily prophet came. The weather fit the mood that had fallen upon Hermione. Dark and stormy.
Friend or Foe? Undesirable Attacks Increase Every Day
Rita Skeeter
An increase in undesirable attacks spread across Britain in alarming numbers. Many of these individuals are undocumented and still roaming free. Is the Ministry being too lenient with these people? Are they attempting to send a message about the Dark Lord?
A witch, who wishes to remain anonymous, states a lycanthrope attacked her son at the park a couple of weeks ago. Her son was seen by the controversial healer, Dr. Hermione Granger, but remains unconvinced her son isn't afflicted.
Counselor Marietta Edgecomb has a bill in place to mark these individuals with identifiers to protect the public and make these creatures more distinguishable. It will be up for a vote in the next coming weeks if it should be passed or not.
Many supporters are outraged at the Ministry's handling of these current affairs and are protesting around wizarding London…
Hermione couldn't read anymore. The newspaper was singed where her fingertips were. She threw the newspaper into the fire and watched it burn.
Pansy gave her a sad look.
"It's wretched," Hermione fumed. "I hope Edgecomb aspirates on every cup of tea she drinks."
She was pacing the clinic, biting her fingernails, "and that horrible wench, the mother of Humphrey, how dare she question my volatility in the Prophet," she seethed.
She considered everything for a moment and turned to Pansy, "what did your mystery patient need? The one that would "pay a lot" and needed discreet care?" Hermione said.
Pansy gave her a curious look, "didn't you do a lot of research on it?"
Hermione waved her off, "never mind that, please, Pansy,"
"Their case of vampirism is more like a terminal illness than a manageable affliction, it consumes the patient, regardless of what they do." Pansy stated, "the patient has been reluctant to receive treatment due to a mixture of denial and today's political climate."
"I'm assuming they've come to me cause every other option has been exhausted?" Hermione asked.
Pansy shook her head, "you were their first choice, but the patient was… adamant you weren't involved, the pleadings of the matriarch, and the patient finally relented."
"What do I need to do?" Hermione asked.
"I can set up a meeting with the matriarch to discuss the details," Pansy was a little worried, "it'll more than likely just be you and her, I won't be present."
"Not an issue," Hermione stated. She could face Narcissa Malfoy, after all, her precious Draco's life was on the line. Hermione had the upper hand. They wanted discreet care. They'd get discreet care.
Pansy looked at her warily, "what're you up to?"
Hermione shook her head, "something mad and stupid, but I'll explain more after the meeting…"
Hermione wasn't planning on returning to the Ministry so soon, but after the scandalous article she read this morning, she had a few things to attend to. After Pansy went home and Hermione shooed away the Ministry owl that came for her patients, she flooed to the Ministry.
She said her pleasantries to Charles and trudged through the atrium, glancing around for Malfoy, but when he wasn't seen, she continued right past the elevators to the stairs.
The nameplate shone brightly on the door to the Director's office. Hermione didn't have time to catch her breath and knock, the door swung open after a couple of seconds of her arrival.
And there he was. Draco fucking Malfoy.
Tall, skinny, sickly, and still somehow dashing? Hermione pushed away any warm feelings and let irritation overcome her. She scowled at him. He looked like he had a plethora of things to say but now wasn't the time. Nor the place.
"Dr. Granger," Director Injin said, peering around Draco, "How pleasant to see you".
"Evening, Director," Hermione glanced up into Draco's eyes one more time and felt her core start to heat up again. She was able to snap her eyes away before the sensation got worse.
Draco turned back to the Director, clearing his throat, "We'll be in touch soon."
"I anticipate it," the Director said, Hermione couldn't detect any specific emotion in the Director's voice. If she had to call the closest one, it'd probably be annoyance.
"Dr. Granger," Malfoy acknowledged her, but didn't look at her, nodded his head, and took his leave. Hermione let him slide around her and watched him disappear around a corner. She scoffed.
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" The Director asked after a couple of seconds. Hermione turned back to the woman. She looked tired.
"Edgecomb," Hermione said simply.
The Director took a deep breath and sat down. She removed her glasses and began massaging her eyes.
"I'll make it brief, we already know she's a tw-" Hermione stopped herself from speaking her mind, "I'm also here about Representative Malfoy," she paused and glanced back to the door, "I see he had some things to say to you as well".
The Director pondered this for a moment, before putting her glasses back on.
"He did," she conjured a cup of tea and sipped it dismissively, "unfortunately, it is a private matter, if you have any questions, I recommend bringing it up with him directly".
"I have no interest in your matters, Director," Hermione smiled warmly, "I am simply bringing up that Representative Malfoy hasn't stopped by my clinic in the last couple of weeks and I am unable to reach him," she paused and laughed a little, "of course, I could have spoken with him earlier, but that would be rude of me to ignore you in favor of finally getting to talk to him". Her face pulled into a frown and she looked at the Director.
"I can't help but worry about his absence and how it'll impact my patients and clinic," Hermione said, chewing her lower lip.
The Director smiled a little, "I can divulge a little since this does pertain to your situation and involvement with him," she said thoughtfully, "he came to tell me he has been out of the country for the past couple weeks and that his absence and breaking of terms shouldn't fall on you or your clinic. The committee agreed and you will face no ramifications".
This eased Hermione. She nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.
"And about Ms. Skeeter, I will make sure the publishing department isn't… as flippant with their articles…" Injin mused, shaking her head slightly.
"I would appreciate that, Director," Hermione nodded, "and, about the motion Edgecomb is attempting to pass… how are the prospects?"
"The Ministry is divided…" The Director said, waving her wand and procuring some documents, "Edgecomb has a very… strong opinion on afflicted wizards, fortunately, the Ministry doesn't have the same level of enthusiasm she does. From what I've heard, she's planning to take a less direct approach and attempt to pass a bill to only escalate laws for vampires and werewolves. For the time being."
Hermione sat dumbfounded, "and once she gets her foot in the door with the easy targets…"
The Director nodded, "precisely".
Hermione fell slack in her chair. It was radical and outlandish. But it was possible. Marietta was clever and smart. She would show how the number of "attacks" went down from the afflicted with her bills and push for more restrictions on other non-human wizards. Veelas, giants, goblins…
"Do you have a plan?" The Director asked, her brow curious.
Hermione bit her lip again and nodded slowly.
"A stupid, shot-in-the-dark one," Hermione gave a half laugh, "but, I do".
The Director looked immensely proud, but her face hid it well, "I supposed divulging it is out of the question currently?"
Hermione nodded shyly. The Director just looked prouder. Injin reminded Hermione of McGonagall immensely. Stern and professional, but proud and supportive.
"Well, given your track record at Hogwarts, I'd say the odds are in your favor," Injin smiled, "Good luck".
She left Director Injin's office feeling she could take on the world. Her plan… was bloody stupid and highly improbable of working, but… something told her to keep her head high. That it would all work out. She just needed to find Draco Malfoy.
She descended the stairs and headed into the atrium. She had gotten a quarter way through, a smile on her face and determination filling her body.
Only to be punched in the chest with something flying at the speed of light. Hermione swore she felt one of her lungs explode. She was thrown back a couple of feet and to the floor on her back, gasping for air. She attempted to see what was attacking her through the tears that were now clouding her vision. Her chest screamed and she wanted to vomit.
A large, dark brown ball, was about ten feet hovering above her and was quickly headed in her direction, about to slam into her head, more than likely splattering her brains on the floor of the Ministry.
She was able to muster enough strength to roll out of the way. The ball slammed into the ground where her head was just seconds ago. It launched itself back up in the air and repeated the same movement. It barely missed her. It ascended again and she began to accept her fate. Her wand wasn't available and her strength was quickly diminishing, this next time she wouldn't be able to dodge it.
It came flying toward her again, Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and cried, but the impact never came. Hermione slowly opened her eyes and through tears, saw Draco Malfoy, single-handedly holding what appeared to be a Bludger.
It sat still in his inhuman hands. She knew a normal person wouldn't be able to hold it still like he was, not without using their entire body and multiple strengthening potions.
He looked panicked as he looked at her crumpled form, "G-Granger?" he asked wearily.
She was about to reply when another bludger came flying at the speed of light and slammed Draco square in the face. It burst from the collision. He didn't flinch or even register that anything had happened. He popped the bludger in his hand and crouched next to her, leaning close.
After the threat had been rectified, other wizards in the Ministry that had dived for safety from the rogue bludgers, began peeling themselves off the floor to figure out what had just happened. The only injured person was Hermione. Well, Draco was supposed to be too, but he stood unharmed. A crowd began to form and made its way over to them, Hermione felt their eyes on them and worried how they'd interpret Draco taking a rogue bludger to the face and not having any signs of head trauma.
Another stupid idea came to her, but hopefully, he'd come to thank her later.
She looked him in the eyes and frowned, "Forgive me," she stated, and then said, "I'm sorry".
He looked confused and then cried in shock and pain, crouching down and falling to the floor.
She'd taken off her silver medallion and pressed it hard into his neck, trailing it along his jaw. His flesh singing and smoking at its touch. He clawed at his neck and jaw area, attempting to grab the medallion.
She quickly unholstered her wand, muttering a quick healing charm on herself to temporarily patch herself up, before hexing Draco's face to look like… well, like he'd just be blasted in the face with a bludger.
It was a pretty gnarly scene. A mirage of blood and broken facial bones had appeared on Draco.
A crowd gathered around them quickly, pushing and shoving to get to the center of the action. Draco seemed to have understood what Hermione planned and played the part a little too perfectly. He was crying and thrashing on the floor in pain.
No one seemed particularly on his problem, they were more focused on Hermione, asking if she was okay and what had happened.
"Get off me," she said, people still grabbed at her and pulled her in different directions, "I said get off!" she screamed.
The crowd slightly dispersed and watched as she made her way to Draco. She slipped her arm around him and pulled him up. She looked around at the confused mob. Some were in shock that she was helping her known nemesis, and some began to cower away.
She pretended to hold him up with his arm slung around her neck, but he was holding his weight completely. She was thankful for that, her lungs protested with every movement she made.
"Coming through, excuse me!" she heard from behind the crowd.
Harry emerged with his wand drawn, looking flustered. He locked eyes with her and saw Draco hanging limply off her. He rushed over and looked them both down.
"What happened?!" he asked, his eyes popping out of his head seeing Malfoy, going around and supporting Malfoy's other side. They began walking to the floo ports.
Hermione wheezed slightly, "I'm the one supposed to be asking you that," she looked around and saw other Aurors appearing and mitigating the chaos.
She began coughing and felt her chest start to burn. Draco looked over at her helplessly and attempted to maneuver to help her out, but she gave him a "don't you dare" look.
"You both need to go to St. Mungo's," Harry stated, a worried look plastered on his face.
Before Malfoy could say anything, Hermione interjected with a firm no.
"Mione now is not the time to be petty about medical facilities," Harry pleaded.
Hermione gasped, "Excuse me? I am not being petty, we both know I am a more capable witch than any of those fools at Mungo's."
They stopped at the floo port, and Harry set Draco against the wall.
"Potter! We need you over here!" Hermione heard from the atrium. Harry looked helplessly between Hermione and the older Auror waving him over.
Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him an understanding smile, "we'll be fine, I promise".
Harry glanced over at Malfoy who was attempting to keep his hurt facade up.
"Potter!" The Auror called again. Harry quickly hugged her. She hissed quietly but continued to smile.
"You better keep that promise," he said, rushing back into the fray.
After Harry was out of sight, Malfoy darted towards Hermione, who began to sag to the floor as her healing charm was starting to fail.
"Come on, we're going to St. Mungo's," he said firmly, the hex starting to fail as well, his unharmed face started to peek out at her. Hermione shook her.
"I won't go, they'll more than likely turn me away anyways," she said, coughing harder and panting.
"Hermione-," she cut him off.
"There's no time, please, I need to get to my clinic," she pleaded, her lungs protesting. She was sure one of them was punctured. The wheezy, raspy sound she admitted was becoming more apparent.
He looked desperate, but nodded, he scooped her up into his arms as if she weighed nothing, and grabbed a handful of floo powder.
He rushed out of the floo port to the empty clinic. Hermione was thankful it was after hours. She attempted to get out of his arms, but he held her protectively against him.
"What do I do, Granger?" He asked, walking her back to an exam room, and depositing her on the exam table.
Hermione started to remove her shirt, but couldn't get it over her head without her body sending out continuous and angry waves of pain. She whimpered and was crying.
Malfoy looked unsure of what to do, like he wanted to jump in and help, but was afraid of making the situation worse.
"Help me," she gasped, her shirt stuck around the midline of her chest.
Malfoy leaped into action, pulled out his wand, and carefully used a sharp charm to cut her shirt up the center. It fell useless to her sides, revealing a nebula of bruises and discoloration, and her chest slowly caving. Malfoy gasped and took a step back, clamping a hand over his mouth. Her blood pooling into her chest cavity made her like a gusher to him. His eyes began to grow dark, but he fought it as hard as he could.
He removed the tie he was wearing and wrapped it around his mouth and nose tightly, slightly covering her smell and somewhat of a makeshift muzzle.
"Granger, you need to tell me what to do," Malfoy pleaded, trying to hold his wand still.
Her hand shook as she lifted her own and started the wand movements for a reconstruction spell. It was wobbly and not well demonstrated, but Malfoy was smart and determined.
She gasped out the words of the spell before she started coughing up blood, it splattered against her body like paint.
Malfoy groaned and was shaking his head furiously, like a dog with a toy. His eyes flickered between black and golden, the war Hermione had seen just weeks before. She saw his saliva drench the tie around his mouth as he quickly rearranged it to a gag. He furiously munched on his lip and started the incantation.
Hermione felt the pressure in her chest alleviate and he repeated the charm and performed the correct motions. She heard a satisfying click and snap and her rib cage returned to its normal structure.
She gasped and coughed in relief, the remaining blood flying out and landing all over the place, Draco looked down at his shirt and cringed.
"Bloody hell, Granger," he whined, his jaw tensing and relaxing repeatedly. His lip was dripping with his blood as he chewed at it. He cast multiple scourgifying and freshening charms to rid himself of her blood and its smell.
"I'm sorry," she said hoarsely, her words no longer coming out gurgled, she lifted her wand and performed a diagnostic charm on herself, the ball quickly changing from neutral blue to red, as it flickered over her chest. She still had some internal bleeding and was heading into hypovolemic shock.
She attempted to get up, but he held her down, "not so fast," he stated, "I'm no healer, but that didn't look good," he said, gesturing with his head to where the diagnostic orb was.
"I need a blood replenishing potion…" she cringed, "you don't have to stay for this part…"
He shook his head vehemently, "not a chance, tell me where it is and I'll grab it".
He returned with a vial of the potion and uncorked it for her. She drained the small bottle and felt her body temperature begin to rise again. Malfoy watched in awe, still clenching his jaw.
She finished what she could for healing, she was back to stable and her diagnostic orb returned to normal. She sat up slowly and breathed in relief. Draco stood by her, supporting her slightly.
"Easy now," he said gently, as she stood. She looked up at him. His frame towering over her. She frowned as she saw the burn marks across his jaw now that the glamor over his face had disappeared. She reached up and gently caressed his jaw. He winced slightly but mostly looked perplexed.
"Here, let me help," she said. She quickly cleaned up the exam table and patted it. He reluctantly sat and sat as still as possible.
"It'll heal on its own, y'know…" He said as she ran a diagnostic on him. The orb wavered and showed a positive vampire screen. Draco saw and looked ashamed. She quickly skipped it and reviewed the burns, they were mostly superficial, but due to his lack of nutrients, would take a little longer to heal.
"I'll get some dittany and something for you to eat," she said matter-of-factly. Malfoy shook his head and began to get off the table. She pressed the palm of her hand to his chest, feeling the cold radiate under her. "Doctors orders," she gave him a small smile.
She returned with a mug and a vial of dittany, but Malfoy wasn't in the exam room anymore. She sighed loudly, turning and leaving the room to head for her office.
She flicked on the light and gasped.
"Malfoy!" She whispered loudly, before shaking her head and setting the mug on her desk, "invasion of privacy much?" she asked.
She pulled out her wand and mended her shirt, closing the seam back up, and walked over to see what he was doing.
He was looking at her plaques and certifications. Many of them read Golden Girl and were awards from the war. Draco wasn't looking at any of them. His eyes were fixed on a picture of her, Harry, and Ron laughing in the common room at Hogwarts in year six, the final moments of joy during their time at Hogwarts, before…
"Sorry, I just couldn't be in the exam room any longer… it was… difficult," he sighed, his gaze finally turning to her and eyeing the steaming mug on her desk.
She grabbed it and handed it to him.
"Fresh donation, got it yesterday," she offered, "it hasn't been sitting in the fridge for days."
He looked grateful and took it from her, swirling it around before turning and taking a sip.
"Do you need me to leave?" she asked. It was a very personal and private thing for a vampire to feed. Unless it was the direct source or significant other, many vampires preferred to feed alone.
Draco pondered it for a bit but shook his head.
"No, it's… it's nice to have company over dinner," he laughed slightly. Hermione chuckled as well and pulled out chairs for them to sit down.
She had to admit to herself, it was rather fascinating to see him fill out before her eyes. With each sip he took, he started to bulk up some, his face becoming less gaunt and his hair looked more silkily than stringy. He was still paper white, but color had spread across him.
The burn along his jawline began to face, the skin smoothing out and becoming pristine. She let him finish before applying some dittany to it, causing it to disappear completely.
"Thank you," he said, somewhat embarrassed. "Not just for this, but earlier… While it wasn't a pleasant feeling, I'm rather glad you're brilliant. I wasn't thinking properly when I jumped in to help."
She smiled and ran one last diagnostic on him, the orb remained its neutral blue color as it passed over him.
"I'm rather grateful for you to have intervened when you did," she said, "I know I'm open-minded, but that would've been too much for me," she joked.
Another genuine smile erupted from his face and he laughed. She couldn't help but appreciate his true laughter. It was rather pleasant.
"But, you're welcome," she said, as she began to clean up.
The air became awkward between them. Hermione had nothing particular to say, except for his condition, but remained tight-lipped to give him some agency. It was jarring trying to make small talk given the history and current situation between them.
Malfoy sat apprehensively, wringing his hands before asking, "why do you do this?"
It was a question she'd been asked many times. Usually from naysayers and critics, but this time, it was sincere. It wasn't asked to have her justify her stance. It was asked because of curiosity and true interest. Of course, it was hidden behind a weary voice and it was her school nemesis asking her.
"I hope you're not expecting a "because someone has to" response," she said, pausing before sitting back down again, "you remember that campaign I had back in Hogwarts?"
Malfoy nodded, "the one for house elves?"
She nodded, "I fought hard for their freedom from prejudice because, while my situation wasn't nearly as bad, I resonated with them. I understood them to a degree, being a muggle-born witch, having people look down on me as less than…" She said cautiously. She nervously eyed Draco who just sat quietly, still as a statue.
"Anyways, after the war, the Ministry needed healers desperately, and a huge population of wounded individuals was what was left of Voldemort's army," Malfoy tensed at the Dark Lord's name, "many healers disregarded them and left them to die and fester out, but I couldn't bear to do it, after all… most of them joined Voldemort's side because the magical community pushed them out and shunned them…" she paused, "I'll deny it if you tell anyone, but if I was in their shoes… I would've done the same thing. If I was given the opportunity for rights and an actual standing in the world… What person wouldn't take that opportunity?"
"I continue to treat these people because everyone needs an advocate and I enjoy helping them out," she turned and smiled at him.
Malfoy sat uncomfortably across from her. He looked like he had so many things to say, but nothing ever came out. The air was still awkward, but Hermione had felt a slight ease come over the both of them.
"What happened to you?" She asked finally, her curiosity getting the better of her. She cringed slightly, but hopefully, he'd see it as true interest as well and not her being nosy.
"Now's not the time or place," he said, but quickly added, "I will tell you, I promise, I just…" He trailed off. Hermione reached over and set her arm on his shoulder.
"I understand," she said softly, "take all the time you need".
He smiled at her and rested his cold hand on top of hers, pulling it off of his shoulder, and caressing his face into it. Hermione was flushing and felt her stomach being to flutter. She stroked her thumb on his cheek, her thumb gliding over his smooth skin like it was gliding over marble.
They sat there like that for a second, before Hermione was sitting in her office by herself. She left the slight breeze of his exit as he left the premises. Hermione's hand still reached out, the warmth returning to her hand. She pulled it in close to her and rested it over her racing heart.