Chapter 24: Priorities

Hospital

She felt so warm and soft and comfortable, she never wanted to wake up. However, the light was calling to her and she felt like she couldn't refuse the answer. Slowly pulling herself out of the depths of liquid-like stupor, she made her way to the light streaming from her eyelids. Opening them slowly, all she saw was white and bright lights. Beginning to tremble, she wondered if maybe she should have listened to her parents and gone to church a bit more often … or ever. Then suddenly a white gloved hand waved itself in front of her eyes and a muffled voice called from what seemed a tunnel, "Mrs. Malfoy?"

Hermione fainted back away in confused relief.

**

After an interminable wait and a quick Healer's overview, Hermione had been transferred from the Manor to St. Mungo's for treatment. The stress had overcome her body, increasing the knots that often formed in her back and weakening the concentration she put into stabilizing her joints – inducing a collapse. The Healers wanted to drain her joints of the fluids that had built up and give her a few potions to ease the tension in her back and neck, before they would consider letting her go. They said she was too weak even before the collapse to have been doing what she was doing.

Lucius hung his head in his hands, as the Healer was telling him the diagnosis and planned treatment. He hadn't been paying close enough attention. The stress of their proposed new job, her friends slowly finding out, and Draco had taken away the attention from the one important thing in his life. Again, he was going to lose something because his life had been too important to him.

"Sir?" The Healer interrupted his thoughts, softly. "She also told me to tell you to stop wallowing, go send some owls and make sure the office knew she wouldn't be in for awhile."

Lucius chuckled and raised his head with a shake, "Alright. I'll be up in your owlery if you need me then."

The Healer nodded, shuffled back into Hermione's room, and then closed the door with a soft click.

Lucius slowly made his way up to the owlery, making a list in his head of the people he needed to contact. Teddy, Draco, her parents, George, Bill, Weasley?, Potter?, the Longbottoms, Lovegood, Minerva? … Merlin, when did I become associated with all of these people?!

He shook his head and scrunched his nose up at the smell of the owls as he entered the loft … bloody woman should see what she makes me go through … can't even use the Manor owls.

**

Ron Weasley was sitting in his brother's, George's, kitchen watching Teddy Lupin play with Fred and Fred II. He chuckled to himself at the names, George, in lieu of losing another Fred, had seen that his old pal was aging, went out and bought another Old English sheepdog – and named it Fred II. Ron had called Teddy over and invited himself to a nightlong question-all of his brother and Teddy about Hermione and Lucius.

He found himself rather shocked at his own stupidity.

"Seriously, Ron, how did you two not see it? Or hear about it, really? I think our parents and Ginny are the only ones that don't know and I wouldn't be surprised if Mum and Dad do actually know." George chuckled. "Must have been quite a show though. I think we've all had to deal with that once or twice – those two are impossible!"

Teddy choked, "Hey! I grew up with them! How do you think I felt? Mimi and Luc were great parents, never doubt it, but gods, they were, still are, the most oxymoronic couple. They hate others watching and judging, but then they go and do something purposely public." He shook his head, "I think they wanted you two to find out on your own, she was too scared to bring it up."

Ron grimaced, "But all these years? I mean, that's a long time, Ted."

Teddy shrugged, but George replied, "Yeah, but think about it Ron, after a few years past the opportunity had already been lost. I think she hoped that maybe if you and Harry found out on your own, it meant you cared. Twisted logic, but she is a girl."

Ron shook his head, "She was always barmy that one."

Teddy flung a pillow at him, "Hey! That barmy is my Mimi, thank you."

George and Ron chuckled. Teddy Lupin had never grown out of calling Hermione, Mimi. It was the closest to a motherly sentiment she would allow, maintaining that she didn't want to steal Tonks' title.

Ron nodded an apology, "So they were married before even Harry and I were. Crazy. What was the wedding like?"

George shrugged, "I dunno. I wasn't there. Only Ted and Bill were there."

Ron gaped, "Bill?!"

George laughed outright. "Yeah, that old wolf has known for about as long as I have. He happened to be around when they decided to tie the knot, and being a pureblood, Lucius needed him to help tie the bond." George chuckled, "Nutters."

Ron raised an eyebrow.

George shook his head, "Oh, no. I'm not giving all the details; you've got to be able to pump Hermione for some information."

Ron groaned. "Well, when did you find out then?"

George sobered. "I both love and hate thinking of that day. For one thing it was the day I got 'ole Fred here, but it was also the last of Hermione's Healer appointments, you remember?"

Ron gave a confused look, "Healer appointments?"

George and Teddy traded shifty looks, and George replied, "She never told you that, either?"

Ron's eyes grew dark, "No."

George eased back on his chair, "Ah."

All three men eyed each other before Teddy cleared his throat, "Well this is awkward." Ron glared at him. Teddy gulped and began to talk quickly, "Well, I obviously don't know much about that day in particular, but I do know Mimi was going to Healer's to check on her scar - you know, Dolohov's?" Ron nodded, slowly. "Anyways, apparently it had some aftereffects they hadn't counted on. She'd been going to figure out why. They ended up giving her a diagnosis on it and I guess that was the day she went over to George's?" He looked over questioningly at George.

George nodded in the affirmative, "Yeah, Ted was with Harry on one of those rare spurts of god fatherliness he had." Teddy snorted and Ron glared. "Look, mate, Harry's a great man, but he sucks at responsibility."

Ron opened his mouth to rant, but Teddy stilled him with a hand. "If anyone should complain, it's me, and I don't. Mimi and Luc were great. Harry and even you, Ron, were fun uncles that I got to visit from time to time."

Ron slumped, "Yeah, Harry is kind of horrible with the taking care of things. Thank Merlin for Ginny."

George nodded. "Either way, that was the night she told me she was sleeping with Lucius Malfoy."

Ron went slack jaw, "Just like that?"

George laughed, "Just like that. I don't think she meant to tell me that, and I was in a right state after, I'll tell you. But, in the end, I wasn't one to judge – hell - I live above a joke shop with a dog named after my dead twin that I still talk to, not exactly a perfect life there." He gave a self-depreciating shrug. "But we're both happy with the lives we've pursued, and in the end, isn't that the priority?"

Ron didn't respond, but was thinking pensively. Teddy continued playing with the two dogs and George simply relaxed.

"That's how she knew Lavender was pregnant."

George's head shot up. Ron never spoke about that first pregnancy.

George nodded slowly, "Yeah. They were in the same ward."

Ron sighed. "What did Hermione get diagnosed with anyways?"

Teddy stiffened and George was about to respond, when suddenly all three jumped at the sound of a loud *SMACK* in the kitchen.

George groaned, "I hate when the owls hit that window – it's not my fault I keep it clean!"

Teddy chuckled and Ron got up to go retrieve the poor smashed owl.

He came back in a moment with a raise eyebrow and a note in one hand. "It's from an LM. Came from St. Mungo's." He watched George's and Teddy's eyes shoot to the letter. George leapt up and snatched it away, ripping it open and reading it quickly. He brought anguished eyes to look at Ron and Teddy. "She's had another episode; we've got to go to St. Mungo's!"

Ron was mildly confused, but followed the two running men, figuring he'd get the full story some time or another.

The three apparated to St. Mungo's as soon as they hit the apparition point outside the shop.

**

Harry was drunk. No matter that it was going on 8 o'clock in the morning, no matter that he had to go to work in an hour, no matter that he had started drinking last night – he was still miserably, completely, stinking drunk.

Ginny looked into her husband's study and shook her head. She could surmise that something about Hermione had set her husband off, that and something about Lucius Malfoy, but beyond that, she'd gotten nothing from her husband. She frowned; it's always Hermione that managed to get Harry in a tizzy. I bet even if I left him, he wouldn't be this bad. Well … maybe if it was for Draco Malfoy, but from what I've heard he's happily married – wanker. She sighed and moved back to the kitchen to make up some hangover potion, she had a feeling he would need it in a half-hour or so.

Harry sat, staring at the wood-paneled wall across him. The lines were so fuzzy and kept moving around that it was a little difficult to keep them in his line of sight, but he was certainly doing his best! Hermione and Lucius Malfoy! What bull! How the hell did she keep that from me for so long? Why?

A little voice chirped up inside his head, answering his thought, Maybe because of how you're acting now?

Harry shook his head and answered, Even so, she shouldn't have taken away my right to approve or disapprove.

The voice seemed to snort, Your right? It's her life! Who says you have any right over what she tells you or what she doesn't tell you?

Harry frowned, Well, yeah, but we're friends! She shouldn't keep things from me!

The voice said exasperatedly, Oh and she was the first you told about your marriage or your baby or anything?

Harry sighed, No, that was Ron, but we're best mates –

And you and she aren't?, asked the voice, smugly.

Harry put his spinning head in his hands and groaned, maybe, just maybe he was wrong. But Lucius Malfoy!

And what's so wrong about that? She found someone who loves her and who she loves back. Merlin knows he's probably smart enough for her, and he can obviously take care of her.

But he's a Death Eater!

Was a Death Eater. Was, not is.

But, but … she was tortured because of him! She almost got killed because of him! He hated her kind! We all almost died because of what he supported! I lost Sirius because of him!

Ah, so it's back to you again. You were also saved because of his family. Or don't you remember that part?

I do, I mean I have to; you never bloody let me forget it!

And you shouldn't or you'll become as prejudiced as those you used to fight.

I'm not like them!

Aren't you? Raiding houses because of blood-status. Making assumptions based on where people come from – sounds pretty familiar to me.

I'm not, I'm not!

Ok, Mr. five-year-old, but expect me to say "I told you so." And now you should probably go take that hangover potion your wife is making. You do realize you're arguing with yourself?

Harry groaned and shuffled into the kitchen.

Ginny smirked and held out a vial of smoking potion. "So are you going to tell me what caused this lovely spell or do I have to test your drunken seeker skills?"

Harry grouched, "Not now, Gin."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Potter. If you're going to come in at 5 in the morning stinking drunk and cursing Hermione Granger, you're going to tell me what the hell is going on!"

"Malfoy. Hermione Malfoy." So said he snatched the vial from a slack jawed Ginny and smirked.

"Her- Hermione Malfoy!" She about gasped out the last word, making Harry laugh and choke on his hangover potion. "How'd she bag him?"

Harry really did choke on that question, "Wha'd'you mean by that? 'How'd she bag him?' How else, they went out, slept together probably, and got married … 15 years ago."

Ginny about collapsed. "But … but why would he go out with her?! And 15 years ago?! What the hell, Harry!"

Harry chuckled darkly and made his way to the kitchen window to intercept an owl that was winging its way towards them. "You've got me, Gin. I don't think I want to speak to her for a good long time, though – can you believe she kept this from me?!"

He opened the letter the owl held out and perused it quickly before doing a double take and gasping. "Shit! She's in the hospital!"

"What?!" Ginny threw her hands in the air. There went any chance of him explaining things.

"She's in the hospital. Had some sort of episode or whatever. Did you know she was sick?" Harry was frantically running through his thoughts, trying to find a memory of her saying she was sick.

Ginny sighed exasperatedly, "No!" This day was not going to go the way she planned, and while she certainly didn't wish Hermione sick, she would have been far more content if the bushy-haired bint had stayed out of her day.

Harry rushed to get his robe and wand, "I've got to go."

"But, Harry!" Ginny stared after her quickly departing husband in disbelief.

He turned at the door and looked at his confused and slightly angry wife, "I know, I'll be back later."

**

Hermione was sitting up against her pillows, looking out the frosted window as Lucius walked into the room. Her eyes immediately darted to the door and her face split into a relieved smile. Her smile faltered a little when his face remained in its stoic position. "Lucius?" she offered softly. She knew he'd been angry, but she hadn't thought he'd been this angry.

He came up next to her bed and scanned her quickly head to toe. She kept her questioning eyes on his as he took in the bandages that wrapped her torso and back, as well as the bandages that lined her arms where potions had been administered. Assuring himself that she seemed to be quite whole, he kneeled down and put his head in her surprised hands. He groaned, "Don't you ever do that to me again, you horrible, horrible woman."

She chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair soothingly. "I'm sorry Lucius; I hadn't paid any attention to the signs and didn't realize that I was as close as I was."

He growled, "Well that should be your number one priority and mine will be making sure you keep yours." He stood back up, but kept one of her hands in his, almost as though he couldn't bear to let her skin go. "I had to use a Mungo's owl," he griped moodily.

Hermione couldn't help the giggle, but sobered as she examined her bandages. "It was bad this time?"

Lucius sighed and nodded, "Your back isn't getting any better by any means. They're saying you need to start on the relaxing potions or at least be doing some therapy."

She huffed, "I refuse to be mind drugged. And you know I have no time to deal with incompetent therapists!"

Lucius looked his wife in the eye, "You'll be making time, wife. It hurts and you're going to deal with it. I'm not folding like I have in the past. We're going to age together and you don't get to have a head start, thank you."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but tucked her arguments away for a rainy day, he'd fold … somehow. She glanced around, "No one else here to keep you company?"

He chuckled, "Oh there's plenty of people here, and the Healers are having a field day keeping them quiet. You've got the whole Weasley clan here and a few other hanger-ons."

She glanced back at the door as though it might bite her and said softly, "Oh, lovely."

He smirked, "I had to have something to torture you with."

She glared at him, but couldn't keep it up. She lifted her hand to his shadowy chin and pulled him down for a soft kiss. "I'm sorry," she whispered against his lips and kissed him softly again.

He pulled back slightly and let his forehead rest against hers. "We're going to have to talk about the other night, but it can wait." She nodded and pulled back with a sigh.

"I don't suppose I could just apparate out of here, now?"

Lucius chuckled, "No, I don't think that's an option, quite yet. You get to be briefed by the Healers and then checked over before we're allowed to leave." He paused and listened to the escalating sound outside, "Do you want to take care of a little of that?"

She waved her hand wearily at the door and it opened. Lucius growled softly at her wandless magic and whispered harshly in her ear, "You're not to be doing that?!"

She looked up at him with a quirked eyebrow, "Then be faster next time."

He reminded himself that he did, in fact, love his wife very, very, very much – despite the absurd urge to strangle her.

**

"Harry, you shouldn't have walked out on her like that." Ron had been separated from Harry by George after insinuations by both that they were the reasons Hermione was here.

"Me?!" Harry practically squeaked. "She walked out on us when she married that bastard!"

Ron was saved an answer when his mother's voice suddenly cut in and said, "I'm pretty sure Abraxas and his wife were married before they had Lucius, Harry."

This time it was Ron that squeaked, "You knew?!"

Molly snorted, "Of course, I knew. I've known since I checked the marriage license book at the Ministry for yours and Ginny's entries to make sure they were filed away properly. I decided to look up a few others and ran across theirs." She looked between Harry and Ron and shook her head, "Are you two really fighting while your best friend lies in a hospital bed?"

Ron gave up the glared he was shooting at Harry, "They won't tell us anything and neither George nor Teddy will let on."

Molly glanced towards George and nodded. "As it should be. It's her news, let her finally tell you."

Suddenly, Hermione's door opened and the group could see her sitting up with Lucius at her side. They made to rush to her side, but she held up her hand, "Let me see my Teddy first, please."

Harry bit his lip from surprise. Despite the knowledge that Hermione had taken care of Teddy, he'd never quite seen how close the two were – he was the boy's godfather, he'd assumed he was closer to him than any of the others.

Teddy hurried in and the group watched him practically engulf Hermione in a hug. What surprised most of the group however, was the fond look Lucius shot the two as he simply held Hermione's hand and patted Teddy's back.

Hermione let Teddy go with a few soft words and then motioned for George and Bill to come in and talk to her. She scanned the group and nodded softly at Molly Weasley, who returned the favor.

As the little groups entered and left the room, Harry and Ron stood outside, awkwardly wondering what exactly would happen when she allowed them in. Neville and Luna finally left and Hermione called out tiredly, "Ron? Harry? Would you like to come in?"

They shuffled in, heads down. "We're sorry 'Mione," murmured Ron.

Hermione chuckled, "No you're not, and it wasn't your fault." She squeezed Lucius' hand and continued, "It was my own fault for not paying attention to my body. You two just caused a bit of the distraction is all."

Harry glanced at the joined hands of Hermione and Lucius and couldn't help the sneer, but bit back his words.

Hermione nodded at him. "I'd like to talk to you two about why I'm in here before any more mud slinging happens. Would that be ok?"

Harry opened his mouth, but Ron beat him to it, "That's exactly what we want 'Mione."

So the former members of the Golden Trio and Lucius Malfoy sat for the rest of the afternoon at St. Mungo's and discussed the past events leading up to Hermione's current stay in the hospital.

Harry looked at Lucius with wide eyes, "You married her even though she'd lied and was sick?"

Lucius bit back a growl, "Of course I did you dolt. If you hadn't figured it out, I … I care strongly for your friend and nothing as small as some illness was going to get in the way of that. You clearly need to check your priorities Mr. Potter if you don't believe your friend worth that."

Harry drew a breath, "That's not what I meant … I just … well."

Ron interrupted, "What he means to say is he wouldn't have seen you as stepping in for that. We clearly have a lot to learn about Hermione and her husband."

Hermione beamed at him through her fatigued eyelids.

Lucius noticing the wan look she gave nodded at the two boys and said coldly, "It's time you left. You'll have time to talk to my wife another day."

The two agreed and bade Hermione goodbye before leaving her alone with Lucius and Teddy who walked back in as the other two left.

"Hey, Mimi." Teddy came to the side of the bed as Lucius sat next to Hermione on the bed and pulled her to lie against him.

"Hi, sweetie. I'm sorry I'm not much for conversation right now." She smiled sleepily, curling into Lucius' warmth. She glanced lovingly up at Lucius, "I love you."

Lucius met her gaze and whispered back, "And I, you. Now sleep, you silly woman."

Teddy nodded in agreement, fighting the unmanly tears at seeing her in such a weakened state. He whispered as her breathing evened out, "Is she going to be alright, really?"

Lucius looked at the younger man and said softly, "Ted, I don't think we'll ever know. But you're welcome to pull up that chair over there if you'd like to stay. The Healers have said she'll be better tomorrow and will probably be able to leave."

Teddy nodded and slid into the chair, allowing his own eyes to close.

Lucius checked to make sure that Teddy was calming down before losing himself in Hermione's pale face. She would be alright. He just had to hold onto that thought.