"Miss Granger?" McGonagall's voice cut into my thoughts and I looked up from where Draco was lying looking far too pale in the bed.
"Prof-Headmistress McGonagall?" I responded quickly, straightening my back as I brushed any residual tears from my face. McGonagall's eyes flickered from my face to Draco's prone form finally resting on our linked hands and I tensed as her lips disappeared into a thin line.
"Hermione… I need to ask. Is everything okay?" McGonagall asked quietly, but her voice rang with authority and I tensed against her implication.
"Apart from the fact that my boyfriend has been attacked, I am fine Headmistress," I responded, my voice friendly but defensive.
"Boyfriend you say Miss Granger? Are you sure that everything is okay? I am very aware of the… shall we say colourful, past that you two share, and I wouldn't want you to be hurt in any way Hermione," McGonagall spoke softly, her hand reaching out to touch my shoulder and I relaxed slightly.
"Everything between us is fine Headmistress. I decided to do what you suggested and give Draco a second chance to prove that he is more than his mistakes. So far, he hasn't let me down. Even when fighting for his life today Harry said he didn't case a single offensive spell," I said softly, returning my gaze to Draco's face that was slowly gaining colour even though his breathing was still ragged.
McGonagall said nothing more for a minute and I found it relatively easy to tune her presence out, until she spoke again.
"Hermione… Are you coping?" McGonagall's voice asked softly, and my gaze switched over to her so fast I almost gave myself whiplash.
"Huh?" I asked, ineloquently.
"I said, are you coping? I know about your par-,"
"Please don't mention them," I interrupted quickly as my eyes closed against the pain as I felt my fingers begin tapping with my need for my nicotine fix.
"It's just. The ghosts have notified me that you have picked up a rather muggle, rather unhealthy habit," McGonagall said sternly, and I felt my heart thud into my throat at the distinct threat in her voice.
"I…"
"An explanation is not necessary, just know that this habit is not tolerated at Hogwarts, much the same as drinking. As such I will be putting both you and Mr Malfoy onto a program to help you quit with Madame Pomfrey. Unfortunately, when it comes to addiction, using spells and potions to counter the effects only transfers the addiction along. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that a potion addiction is much more dangerous than a nicotine one," McGonagall said. Her voice was soft but her tone brokered no argument and I nodded. I couldn't argue with the truth that I was now addicted to cigarettes. McGonagall nodded sharply and then turned to leave the Hospital wing. "By the way. Mr Malfoy will find it hard to press charges against Mr Weasley if that's what he desires. Mr Weasley no longer attends Hogwarts as his behaviour is a clear violation of school rules, but in the real world outside of these walls, many people believe Mr Weasley is well justified in his attack-,"
"That's not fair," I protested loudly, stilling when Draco groaned and turned his head in my direction.
"I am aware, but there is little I can do about it," McGonagall said sadly before she inclined her head and left the hospital wing.
For a few moments I sat in stunned silence then I felt Draco's fingers squeeze mine.
"It's okay Love, I wasn't planning to press charges anyway," Draco said quietly, his voice rough with pain.
"But it's not-,"
"It doesn't matter. Now do I get a kiss for defending your honour?" Draco smirked and I chuckled weakly as I stood and leant over him.
"I guess you do deserve a small one," I said rolling my eyes as I ran my hand through his hair.
"A small one? Witch I nearly died," Draco growled as his left hand caught the nape of my neck. In the next instance his lips were on mine, warm and demanding as they always were and I felt myself relax for the first time since we'd left out bookstore. Without thinking I moved to straddle Draco and he groaned in pain, breaking the kiss as his eyes clenched shut.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry," I breathed, trying to remove myself, but Draco's hands clamped down on my hips holding me still as he found his breath again.
"It's okay… just move slowly," Draco breathed and I nodded as I tried to move myself from his lap again only to feel him clamp down on my hips again. Startled I met Draco's eyes noticing how his blown pupils had reduced his iris to a mere ring of silver.
"Are you okay?" I asked gently as I tucked a curl behind my ear.
"I didn't realise how sexy I'd find your indignant nature when it's on my behalf," Draco breathed before he pulled me back down to him and kissed me, stealing my breath.