The hospital wing was eerily silent. "MADAM POMFREY!" Harry called to the medi-witch, as he burst through the doors, holding them open for Draco and the still unconscious Hermione. Ron and Hagrid, both seemingly in shock, followed closely behind.

The middle-aged witch hurriedly emerged from her office at the far end of the room. She took one look at the limp girl in Draco's arms and jumped into action. She motioned for Draco to lay Hermione on the bed closest to her office. "What happened?" Her words dripped with urgency.

"She was attacked by the giant squid." Draco was outwardly in control, but inside he was being torn apart. "She was underwater for at least two minutes. I Heimliched the water out of her lungs, but she only took a few breaths before she lost consciousness."

"Well done, Mr. Malfoy. Your quick thinking probably saved her life. Most likely she's just fainted from exhaustion. I'll know for sure after I've completed my examination. I must ask all of you to leave so I can get to it." Her strict voice left no room for arguments. The four men reluctantly shuffled through the door, closing it quietly behind them.

"You saved her life" Ron's voice was barely a whisper. "Thank you." His tear-filled eyes meeting Draco's for a moment before shifting back to the floor.

Hagrid's muffled sobs were the only sound in the corridor as the four men waited for Madam Pomfrey to emerge. Loudly swishing robes coming in their direction drew all of their attention. Professor McGonagall was rushing towards them, apparently Madam Pomfrey had alerted her to the situation. Her sharp expression landed on the sobbing game-keeper. "Rubeus, would you please explain what you were thinking... Expecting students to get in the lake in such proximity to the giant squid?"

The head mistress' question sent the large man over the edge, and his gentle cries became full on blubbering as he attempted to answer. "Well, err... I wanted ter..." He blew his nose in a t-shirt sized handkerchief. "I wanted ter show 'em Quill in't as bad as her reputation, Ma'am." He was inhaling rapidly, almost to the point of hyperventilation. "Things were goin' well, and then...'Ermione... she slipped, yer see. It wadn't Quill's fault. She was just tryin' to protect 'erself." He sniffed loudly. "She pulled 'Ermione under, and... I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry."

Harry placed his hand on Hagrid's shaking shoulder. "It's ok, Hagrid. Hermione is going to be fine. We know you wouldn't have asked us to help with Quill's bandages if you thought we would be in any danger. It was just an accident. Please don't blame yours-."

"Mr. Potter," the head mistress curtly interrupted, "while I appreciate your effort to comfort Professor Hagrid, he must understand that this situation came about due to a serious lack of judgement on his part. We have rules in place to keep all the students safe, and just because you four have experienced more dangers than everyone else, that does not mean those rules do not apply to you."

"I...I unnerstand, Professor. I promise I won' be askin' 'em ter do anymore dangerous lessons." His crying had calmed some, but he still had trouble getting a good breath, causing each word to catch in his throat.

"I should hope not." McGonagall's tone softened as she added. "Its obvious how much you care for these children, Rubeus, I'm looking out for your good as well. I know you'd never be able to forgive yourself if something you asked them to do resulted in permanent harm to one of them."

"Yer right Professor." A small smile spread across his face. "I love 'em summat fierce."

Just then, the hospital doors swung open, and Madam Pomfrey joined them in the hallway. "It was as I expected. Miss Granger had simply fainted from the stress of the situation. She is awake..." The small witch had to place a hand on Ron's chest to keep him from storming through the doors, "but she needs her rest. In addition to being exhausted, she also has a broken ankle. I can only allow two of you to visit at a time."

"Mr. Malfoy and myself will go first." Professor McGonagall stated matter-of-factly. She noticed Ron about to protest, thus continued, "Seeing how I need to hear all of the details firsthand, and he is the one who perform the muggle maneuver that saved her life, I need him there."

"Very well," Madam Pomfrey replied, ushering the two of them through the door. "When they are through, feel free to let yourselves in." She directed to Ron and Harry.

"Would yer tell 'er I'm glad she's gonna be a'right?" Hagrid asked before she disappeared back into the hospital wing. "I got ter get back to the lake and change Quill's bandages. She should be calmed down by now."

"Of course I will tell her, Hagrid. And, please feel free to come visit her after you've finished with that." Madam Pomfrey gave him a reassuring smile as she slid out of sight.

Hermione was propped against a pile of pillows. Her damp hair sprawled around her head. Her right foot was elevated and covered with a strange black cloth. She appeared to be sleeping, but her eyes fluttered open when she heard their footsteps coming toward her. A grateful smile spread across her lips as her eyes locked with Draco's. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. They allowed their gaze to linger on one another for a moment longer before turning to the head mistress.

"Miss Granger, I am glad to see you recovering comfortably. I understand Madam Pomfrey has given you the first dose of the bone-healing potion?" The head mistress spoke formally, but her tone also gave away how much she, too, cared for the bushy-haired girl.

Hermione shifted herself more upright as she answered. "Yes, Professor. I'll need to take three more doses, one every four hours, before my ankle will be fully healed. She's asked me to stay overnight, as well."

"You are definitely in good hands." She smiled at the girl, before turning her attention to the medi-witch who had returned from the hallway. "Poppy, would you mind explaining details of this Heimlich maneuver to me in your office?"

"Of course, Minerva. Its quite fascinating really." Draco caught the slightest hint of a twinkle in the head mistress' eye as the two older witches disappeared into the corner office.

"That sneaky old bird," he thought to himself. "She lied to everyone in the hall in order to arrange for Hermione and I to have some alone time." He smirked in gratitude, unaware that Hermione's eyes were again glued to him.

"Madam Pomfrey told me what you did." Her voice gave him butterflies just as it always does. Her brown eyes were pooling with tears as they bored into his own. "Thank you."

He sat on the bed next to her, never breaking eye-contact and said, "I couldn't let you die." He hoped the intensity of his stare was able to communicate that what he really meant was: I couldn't live without you. "When I saw you get pulled under..." He had to stop as the words got caught in his throat. He dropped his eyes to the floor so she wouldn't see the tears forming. "I'm just glad I was there and knew what to do. I'm sorry about your ankle. I think that might have happened when I shoved Quill's tentacle off your leg."

"Draco!" Her voice was like that of a parent disciplining a child. "You don't have to apologize for my broken ankle! If it weren't for you, I would be dead at the bottom of the lake! Look at me..." His head slowly rose to meet hers. "You saved my life."

In that moment of vulnerability, she saw something in Draco's eyes that she couldn't explain. He was looking at her in a way that only one other person had ever looked at her...a muggle boy she hadn't seen in over seven years. A boy she, at one time, had thought was her soul mate. A boy she had looked at in the same way. He was looking at her as if she was his only reason for breathing; as if she held part of his heart.

"Hermione..." He wanted so badly to just blurt out the truth, but reminded himself what happened when he acted impulsively that morning.

She twisted her torso so she was completely facing him. "Yes, Draco."

Luna's words about now being a time for forgiveness echoed in his mind. "I'm sorry." The spark in his eyes faded into sadness, and Hermione understood he was no longer talking about her ankle. He was apologizing for the last seven years. "I am truly sorry for the way I've treated you. There is no excuse for my behavior. I simply hope you can find it somewhere in your heart to forgive me, even though I don't deserve it."

"Draco, I see how different you are this year. I know it's not fake or an act either. I can tell that the way you were up until now was the act. I can't just forgive you right now on the spot, but I can tell you that I would like to try. Its going to take time, though, and you'll have to be willing to be completely honest with me. Can you do that?"

"Yes." He wanted to add, I'd do anything for you, but didn't. He would not allow himself to slip up by going to fast again.

She smiled warmly at him. "Ok, its a deal. Now, could you please help me adjust these pillows, I'd like to lay down."

"I'd be happy too, but you've got a couple other visitors who will be furious if I've taken up all of your awake time." He replied reluctantly, rising off the bed, and starting towards the door.

"Oh, yeah. Will you send them in?" She sounded tired, but obviously wanted to see her best friend and her boyfriend. "And Draco..." He turned back to her. "I'm glad we had this time together." Something unexplainable deep in her soul made her add the last part.

"Me too." His heart ached as he turned from her once more, and exited the hospital, throwing one last longing look at her as Ron and Harry rushed past him to her side. His stomach flipped when her gaze rose above the boys and landed on him.