Saturday, 31 Mar, 03:50 GMT Out of the OR
"Hey," the ginger mediwitch gently tapped the brunette Muggle-born doctor's leg. The former Head Girl's eyes fluttered as she got used to the light in the waiting room. She suddenly bolted upright; stirring her husband awake as well.
"What's going on?" Hermione asked alertly.
"We just got out of the O.R." Mediwitch Ginny Weasley Potter said softly as she took a seat. The rest of the medical crew filtered into the room. Draco, Jr. took a seat next to his father as the rest of the waiting room occupants sat up to hear the news.
"Drew's in Recovery right now," Ginny began. "Gregory and Jacob are tending to her. She'll be there for another half hour before we move her to the room."
"How is she?" the platinum blonde father asked.
The Head of the Hospital Wing took in a breath. "She came in worse off than you did, Hermione. She lost a lot of blood and her injuries were extensive."
"She suffered seven Cruciatus curses. The torture probably led to six broken ribs on her right side," Draco, Jr. said. "Eight on her left. She had a subluxation of her left shoulder. Both lungs collapsed."
"She'll be on a respirator until she can breathe on her own," Ginny continued. "She suffered two entrance wounds, one below her right breast and one in her left shoulder."
"Heath was able to synthesize the anti-potion in time," Draco, Jr. said. "We were able to reverse the effects of the Everbleeder potion."
"Right now, she's in critical condition. We'll need to monitor her closely," Ginny said. She looked directly at Hermione. "I know I don't have to sugarcoat anything. She's in bad shape. But we'll do everything to stabilize her and make her feel comfortable. Right now, she's in a coma."
"Truth be told," Hermione looked her old friend in the eye, "What's her prognosis?"
"Hermione," Ginny started.
"Full disclosure, Ginny," the Muggle-born mother said.
"We've all seen patients with lesser wounds leave this world," Ginny started as she squeezed Hermione's hand. The Muggle-born witch whimpered. "She's the strongest kid I've ever known, Hermione.
"If she can fight through the next twenty-four hours, her chances will improve."
Hermione nodded. The younger witch brought her into an embrace, as Hermione was finally unable to contain herself any longer. Ginny allowed her old friend to cry into her shoulder.
Draco cried silently next to his wife. His oldest son placed his arm around his father's shoulders.
o-o-o
Saturday, 31 Mar, 04:30 GMT
The Malfoy sons were the first to enter their sister's room. Their parents, hand in hand, followed behind them. Draco halted his progression a few steps into the room as he saw his daughter in the hospital bed. Hermione squeezed his hand as she looked into his eyes. He nodded at her as they headed towards the hospital wing patient.
The boys took seats on the cushioned chairs in the room. Their parents stopped at the side of Drew's bed. The boys saw their father tremble slightly as he reached for Drew's hand. For Junior it was the first time in a long time he witnessed his father falter.
The younger Malfoy watched his mother pull his father closer to her whispering to him that everything was going to be okay. Junior heard her voice hitch. He looked at his brothers, nodding at them. The twins took in a deep breath and nodded back. All three finally realized the severity of the situation.