Disclaimer: I do not owe any characters in this story, except Violet Bradley.
A/N: Sorry for the damn late update. Thank you for your reviews; I am really happy to receive it. I am really glad you people enjoyed my story… Hehe…
So here is the long-awaited Chapter 8…
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"He is in a very bad condition now. He is still unconscious and none of his relatives has come to visit him or anything." The Healer, Violet Bradley, told Albus Dumbledore.
Dumbledore nodded gravely and looked at the fire. Violet's head was there, talking feverishly.
"Does he has any close friends or anyone who can come and visit him? I think he needs some moral support or whatsoever."
"I have no idea, but I will get back to you soon. His father is away and I do not know where his mother is…"
Dumbledore was interrupted by a knock on the oak door and looked up. Professor McGonagall had just entered the room.
"I am afraid Miss Parkinson's parents would like to have a word with you. I have…" McGonagall stopped and saw Violet's head in the fire. "Violet! How is Mr Malfoy coping?"
"Very bad. The poor thing has nobody to visit him, and he has no idea what is going on. I am afraid if this goes on…" Violet shook her head.
"My sympathy goes out to him, with no relatives or even friends to visit him…" She stopped and thought for a moment. "Hang on; he may not be exactly friendless. If you don't mind, Albus, I have a suggestion…"
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"Miss Granger, could I have a word with you?" Professor McGonagall called out, as the Gryffindors exited their classroom.
"Miss Granger, you are the top student here in Hogwarts, and you never have any difficulties catching up with your homework, am I right, Miss Granger?"
Hermione gave a little nod.
"And I supposed you are great friends of Mr Malfoy?"
Hermione nodded again.
McGonagall looked delighted and said, "Then, I could trust you to go and visit Mr Malfoy at St Mungo's? And when he awakes and still recuperating, I trust that you will help him catch up with the work?"
Hermione was speechless. She has no idea what to say.
"I believe you can go to St Mungo's now, your teachers will send you the homework etc. You will be staying at the hostel in St Mungo's. You can go off to pack your trunk now." McGonagall smiled. "You will be going there by a Portkey."
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(At St Mungo's)
As Violet approaches the bed, she couldn't help feeling sad for Draco. He made no movement at all, and just lay there like a dummy. He was also very weak, and no one has bothered to come and visit him the poor thing.
Just then, Hermione entered the room. Violet looked up and saw that she was sitting beside Draco.
"It is no use talking to him. He just stays there as still as before."
Hermione excused herself and went to the toilet that is attached to the ward.
Violet bustled around for a while before going out and attending to other patients. As she exits, she failed to realise the teeny movement made by Draco.
As Draco opens his eyes, he took in what was going on around him.
"Where am I? This is not the hospital wing. What happened to me?" He gazed at the door, as if hoping a notice board will notify him.
He noticed some movement near the door, but could not see who it was.
And then, it happened.
Hermione gave a little shriek and ran towards Draco's bed. She gave him a hug but Draco was too surprised to do anything.
When she finally let him go, he looked carefully into her jubilant face. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and……
"Who are you?"
Hermione's heart sank to the bottommost part of her stomach. She looked at him, as if expecting him to scream, "I tricked you!", but he did nothing of that sort.
He examined her face, shook his head and leaned back.
Just then, Violet has re-entered the ward. Hermione bombarded her with questions.
"How come he could not recognize me anymore? Is something wrong? Is he going to be alright? Is he fit to go back to school? Can he remember anything?"
Violet came to his bed, and examined him. After a few minutes which seem to be hours to Hermione, she looked up and gave a sigh. She led Hermione out of the room and made her sit down.
"Due to the fact that he intercepted the curse, he did not get injured or anything. However, he has lost some of his memory because the curse had hit one of his vital nerves. However, this is not permanent. If help is given, I think he would be able to recover soon, in, let's say, a year?"
Hermione buried her head into her hands. He needs a year to recover and that is help is given correctly.
She went back to the room, feeling dejected.
Draco was eyeing her all the way.
"You know, you look very familiar but I can't figure out why I saw you. By the way, where are my parents? Do I have any?" When Hermione did not reply, he answered himself. "Then, I guess I am an orphan. No one has visited me so far, just you. That's what my neighbor says." He pointed to a guy sitting on the bed, grinning at him.
Hermione looked at Draco, and thought that he is so much better now like that. But he could no longer remember anything about her.
She took a deep breath and asked Draco. "What can you remember?"
"I just remember I am in some village and I got hit by a curse or something like that. And after that I fainted."
"Do you remember anything about Hogwarts?"
He looked at her blankly and shook his head. Hermione gave a sigh.
"Well, you are Draco Malfoy. And you are in Slytherin. You come from a pure-blood family and you hate…" Hermione could not bring herself to continue anymore. A tear rolled down her cheek and Draco wiped it off.
"I like you. You are the only one who bothers about me."
Hermione gave a weak smile.
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(At Hogwarts)
"Where is Hermione?" Ron looked around the common room, after trying desperately to complete his homework.
"I told you. Something happened to her family, and she has to go back." Harry replied for a dozen times.
Ron looked at Harry before resigning to the fact that Hermione has gone away. Harry returned to his homework. Hermione told only him the real motive of her going away and had made him swear that he wouldn't tell anyone. Harry finds it very difficult to keep it from Ron, as the three of them were the best of friends and it is difficult to keep secrets from one another.
"I guess Hermione really likes that bloke. This is the first time I see her so upset over a guy. I wonder if I did the right thing in keeping this a secret from Ron. Ron is bound to find it out. Hermione's story really is a lame one. But then again, I couldn't think of any myself. I hope that git is alright, or Hermione is going to be so upset." He heard a loud thump beside him and noticed that Ron had fallen asleep.
He shook his head and looked out of the window. Just then, he saw a owl outside the window.
He stumbled over armchairs and reached the owl. When he removed the note, the owl took off immediately.
Harry
I have reached St Mungo's already and I am safe and sound. Draco is very weak now but he has woken up. The problem is that he has lost his memory temporary. I fear I need to be here for a long period of time before he is fit enough to go back to Hogwarts. I am really grateful to you in helping me hide this from Ron, as you know what his reaction is going to be. Keep me updated about what's going on in school. Till then…
Hermione
Harry folded the note and threw it into the fire.
"I am actually feeling sorry for that white ferret. Well, maybe it serves him right that he lost his memory and Hermione can just brainwash him. Maybe they can be together." Harry smiled as he watched the note crumple and turn ash.
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Hermione was coaching Draco and going through everything with him. Surprisingly, he did not have any difficulties in catching up with Hermione. After a while, Draco leaned back and surveyed Hermione.
"I am tired. How about telling me how I got cursed?" Draco grinned.
Hermione looked up and felt her eyes watering again. She lowered her head but Draco caught sight of her.
"I didn't mean to make you cry. But I really want to know. Maybe I can remember some stuffs."
Hermione sniffed. "It goes like this…"
After 3 minutes
"I must say I am a very devoted lover. And I am really popular amongst girls. Haha." Draco laughed.
Hermione smiled.
"So I really like you?"
"I don't know."
"How come?"
"You always seem to dislike me before the incident, before sixth year."
"Really?" Draco asked curiously. "And did you like me?"
"I hated you before. But after that incident, I can't deceive myself anymore."
Draco smiled and edged closer. Hermione refused to look at him and contented herself by closing her eyes.
"I do not remember whether I really like you before this. But I am very certain that I am now totally in love with you." He smiled and moved closer until their lips touched. Hermione opened her eyes and with tears forming in her eyes, she embraced him, forgetting everything. Hermione just wants to hold him tight forever and ever. Hermione has finally found her true love.
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A/N: This sounds a bit like the last chapter but it is not! Hope you enjoy! Review!