Chapter 6

A/N: Don't worry guys, Draco hasn't gone soft on us, (well, maybe as far as Hermione is concerned. Draco is like every bad boy I ever dated. They lure you in by being sweet and when you're hooked, BAM! Bad boy is back again. I'm basing this off of PLENTY of personal experience…hehe).

Ink Splash: Your wand question is explained. Let me know if you see any discrepancies, and I will find a neat way to explain it.

Also, I know some of you were a little unsure about the "my dear", but let's face it, Draco is cultured. If he really wants to turn on the charm, he can. On with the story.

Hermione's eyes snapped open as Draco pressed his lips to hers.

"What in the bloody hell was that?" She demanded when Draco pulled away.

"What was what?" He asked innocently. "I thought it would improve your circulation. Got your heart pumping didn't it?"

"Ooooh! So help me, if I could get out of this bed and get my wand, I would hex you so hard your children would feel it!" Hermione fumed. Draco only laughed. Confiscating her wand was one of his better ideas. If she had possession of it, she would curse him every time he tried to put her through P/T.

At that very moment, a soft POP sounded throughout the room.

Hermione looked up to see Ron and Harry standing at the edge of the bed, questioning looks on their faces.

"What in bloody hell are you doing on Mione's bed Malfoy?" Demanded Ron, his ears turning crimson. Draco stood and turned to face him.

"Physical Therapy Weasel-bee. What does it look like I'm doing?" taunted Draco, daring Ron to question him.

"Still seems to me that you don't quite belong in the equation Malfoy," sneered Harry as he surveyed Hermione's pale face. "Perhaps you should just leave us to visit Hermione in peace."

Draco fumed, but stood, casting malicious glares in boy's direction and then he exited the room. Ron and Harry both turned back to Hermione.

"So I see you haven't cursed him yet Hermione. I applaud your patience," laughed Harry, his eyes twinkling.

"Only because he confiscated my wand to prevent me from hexing him. Safety precautions must be taken. I'm afraid that my temper would override my logic and I would have to see how many foul things I could transfigure him into, in say, sixty seconds."

"That is a game that I think I would love to try my hand at," Ron laughed as he leaned in to kiss Hermione.

"So how is your recovery coming Mione?" Inquired Harry.

"Slowly," muttered Hermione. "My desire to rid myself of Malfoy continues to supersede my logic. I've pushed myself too far and have had a few setbacks."

"Something took precedence over logic?" asked a shocked Ron as he ran to the windows to glance outside. "The four horsemen of the Apocalypse haven't arrived yet, so I guess this isn't officially the end of the world." Hermione giggled as Ron settled back in beside her.

"So what news do you have?" Hermione questioned.

"Well," began Harry, "Neville has made a full recovery. They performed the Crucatious curse until he was within an inch of his sanity, but fortunately, St. Mungo's has made great strides in Mental Health since his parents fell victim to the death eaters."

"Have there been many more attacks?"

"Oddly no. The quiet is disturbing. Dumbledore believes that they are regrouping for a massive strike, but we just can't figure out where. It was he that suggested we come visit you, take advantage of the calm before the storm so to speak."

"Would you mind giving us a moment alone Harry?" asked Ron. Harry smiled at them both and left the room quietly.

"So how are you feeling my love?" he inquired sweetly, gently running his fingers through her hair, marveling out its softness.

"I could be better Ron, but in the same token I could be worse," Hermione replied. "Malfoy is a pain, but at least he has yet to call me any foul names."

"I still don't see why you have to suffer that git when you should be healing. He's more likely to poison you than he is to heal you," Ron replied sarcastically, his face twisted into a grimace.

"Actually Ron, my present confinement to this bed is entirely my fault," she admitted. "If I had swallowed my pride and accepted his assistance, I would be much farther along than I am now. He is a very talented healer, to give the devil his due."

"Did I just hear you defend Malfoy? Now I know that you aren't well." Ron sputtered

"I wasn't defending Malfoy!" Hermione insisted.

"Well it sure sounded like you were to me."

Oh heavens, thought a horrified Hermione. He's right!