A/n: Here you go, guys! This is just an informatory chapter, I would have scrapped this, but I need it. So yeah, I promise you that the next chapter would have more Dramion moments! :)

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DISCLAIMER: Everything but the plot belongs to JK :)

CHAPTER THREE-PRESENT

"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy." His new secretary piped from behind her desk. "You have an appointment with the Chief Healer in the Magical Injuries department at 10. This afternoon, you need to meet with Healer Yuri, and you also need to check up on the new cures that the Potions Department just developed."

"That's all for today?"

"Yes sir." The secretary answered, fumbling with her pen. He nodded at her and strode towards his office.

At 23, Draco Malfoy was already the Head Healer of St. Mungo's. When the board of directors voted him for the position two years ago, he had received endless criticisms and a lot of the wizards he had worked with protested against his age and his definitely questionable past endeavors. But there was no denying the fact that he was the best of the best. He surpassed all of his older peers and colleagues in almost every field, plus his greatly honed business-oriented intuition made the hospital earn more in the past two years than it had had in the last decade.

After her death, he had been a wreck, well, a much worse wreck than what he was now. One night, maybe a month after she had passed, he was walking across a deserted bridge, pissed drunk and screaming at the top of his lungs for his own death to come. That night, he walked in on a man about to bleed to death, there was blood everywhere, and multiple stab cuts on his back indicated that if he wasn't brought to a hospital soon, he wouldn't survive.

Drunk Draco didn't even think about the consequences of healing the man. He didn't know if the unconscious man was part of the wizarding community, or if he was a muggle. The only thing that he was thinking about was that she would want him to heal this man. It came as a surprise when he felt soft hands on his shoulders, exactly the way she had done when she wanted to reassure him. He whipped out his wand, battle instincts developed over his seventh year made his control strong, even though he was so drunk that he couldn't walk straight. Immediately, he healed the man, and he felt such a rush at doing so.

That was the first time that he felt her presence. He never actually did feel her physically again, whenever he was healing another person. He could only ever do so when he was drunk - but whenever he healed someone else, he felt like she was giving him approval.

Saving people felt like he was saving her.

Saving people made him feel as if it was her that he had helped. He felt as if the number of lives that he had preserved would somehow bring her back. He felt that through saving these faceless people, he was being given a chance to save her.

He knew that it was dumb, but it did not stop him, nonetheless.

The next day, after the encounter, Draco signed up for a rigorous four-year healer training program and graduated in just a year and a half. He specialized in healing immediate fatal wounds. It was a course that should have taken him three years to finish, but it only took him a year. Although she had always beat him in classes, he was still a certified genius, after all. At nineteen going on twenty, he interned at St. Mungo's, where, three months after his initial acceptance, he was elevated to the Healer position. Nine months earlier than even the earliest acceptances. At twenty, he was one of the Department Heads of the hospital. At twenty-one, he was the Head Healer.

A lot of people questioned his motives, wondering why someone who had caused so much destruction before he had even reached seventeen worked so hard. Some said that it was to regain his obviously tattered family reputation. Some said that it was his way to give back to the world that he had almost destroyed. Some say that he had just found something that he was good at.

But none of them guessed that it was all for her.

He was top now. The best. First place.

He would have given all of his money to get his place as second to her back.

He would have given everything that he had if it meant that it would bring her back.

He sat down on his leather chair, frowning at the stack of paper work settled neatly on top of his desk. He took out the picture from his briefcase, smoothing out the wrinkles and placing it softly on top of the polished wood surface.

So far, it was the only picture of them that at least captured a margin of how much he felt for her. Smiling sadly, he examined her face, remembering every detail that he could conjure from his memory. He hated that he needed this photo to remind him of her wistful expression, when he himself had vowed that he would commit every minuscule detail of her to memory. He hated how he couldn't recall her dreamy sighs, or her expression when he managed to surprise her. He hated himself for forgetting, when he had promised to her that he would always remember her.

He hated that the details that was part of the complicated equation that was Hermione Granger slipped his mind.

"Sir?" His secretary said, poking her head timidly through the door. "Someone's here to see you."

"Tell whomever it is to schedule an appointment. I don't do walk ins."

"I told him that, sir, but he wouldn't take no for an answer." His secretary bit her lip, before continuing, "He said to tell you to, 'Stop being a bloody wanker and let me in.' Err, his words, not mine."

"You're new here, aren't you?" Draco asked, eyeing her with disinterest.

"Yes, sir, I just came in yesterday. They told me that they already told you about me."

"Well, that explains why you don't know him." Draco sighed, rubbing his temples. He had a good guess that he knew the identity of the idiot that decided to ask for his attention at such an ungodly hour. "Is he tall and Italian? Flirts a lot?"

"Err... Yes, sir." His secretary said reluctantly, fixing him a baffled gaze.

"Let him in."

She disappeared, and within a few moments, Blaise Zabini came storming through his doors.

"New secretary, mate?" The Italian asked, leaning on Draco's desk and ignoring the death glare that the blonde was giving him. "I liked the last one better. This one's all shy and timid-no fun at all."

"Might I ask why you're disturbing me so early in the morning?" Draco drawled, still glaring at his friend. Blaise was always so annoying in the morning. "For all you know, a kid could be dying because I'm not there to operate on him because you're wasting my time and annoying me."

"Oh come on, mate." Blaise said, moving to sir on the high backed wooden chair in front of Draco's desk. "You never have rounds in the morning. And can't you replace these chairs, they're killing my butt. I hate coming to your office and having to sit on these butt-death-traps."

"That's exactly why I keep them around." Draco smirked. "Now, why are you here again? I know that it's not a tuesday. You always bother me on tuesdays."

"Can't a chap just want to see his best friend?" Blaise said, feigning innocence. "You know I seldom see you! And I-"

"Cut the crap, Zabini." Draco cut him off. "Spill it."

"Well..." The italian said, suddenly nervous. But then he regained his happy tone and demeanor and said, "I got you a date!"

"No."

"But Drake! She's-"

"I said no."

"Come on! You've been holing yourself in here for the-"

"Past five years, I know. And I plan to make that arrangement permanent."

"Drake! Think about it! When was the last time that you dated? Ever since she died you haven't as much as looked at another female!"

"So? I don't give a damn about other females! I don't even know why we're arguing about this. You know my answer!"

Blaise quieted for a moment, before saying, int he softest of whispers that Draco almost didn't hear, "She would have wanted you to move on, you know."

"I know." He said, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. They had talked about the possibility of having to leave each other during the war. They knew that the odds of their survival was minuscule. What with him being a defected death eater and her one of the most prominent figures fighting in the order.

If... If I die in this war, I want you to find someone else, okay? Someone who would make you happy. Someone you can love again.

Those were her exact words.

It was her only request that he couldn't bring himself to do.

How could he even find someone to love, when her death took away his capability of doing so ever again?

"I... I can't Blaise." Draco said, voice void of emotion, as empty as he felt. "I know that even if I try, I won't find anyone that could even live up to her shadow."

"There are plenty other females out there, Drake! Plenty to help you forget-"

"But can't you understand that I don't want to forget?!" He screamed. Anger and frustration coursing through him. "I refuse to forget!"

"It's been years, Drake." Blaise said, voice straining and looking at Draco with pitying eyes. "You have to get over her."

"Five. It's been five years and 364 days, to be exact." Draco sighed, calming down and placing his head on his desk. He stared at the photo of them together sadly. "I'm not over her, Blaise. The past five years would prove that I never will be."

"You can. You have to. She wanted you to be happy."

"I'm already happy with my life- well, as happy as I can be without her."

"This-" Blaise gestured around. "-is a life centered around her, Drake. It's not healthy. She's dead, Malfoy. Accept it."

"I don't care." Draco said. "I don't care that she's dead. I wanted a life centered around her, and I have that now, don't I? This is as close as I could get to her. The only reason that I'm staying in this damned pathetic life is that she'll give me an earful for doing suicide. This is as happy as I could get, Blaise. No amount of other women that you force into my life is going to change that."

Blaise stared at his friend silently. He knew that Draco would react like this. He had to at least try. It was unhealthy for the blonde, but Blaise understood him. If he ever lost Luna, he was sure that he'd end up like Draco. Trying to save everyone and going through life as if nothing mattered.

"I miss her." Draco let out a shaky breath. "I miss her. And I can't stand the fact that tomorrow, while everyone is out gallivanting with everyone else, no one but me and maybe her two idiot sidekicks would even remember her. Not enough people would remember that she's been dead for six years. Not enough people would remember her."

"You're still so whipped." Blaise said, smiling ruefully. "Tell you what, since you'll need a drinking buddy and I'm available tonight, I guess that I could squeeze you in. Then you'll have four people remembering."

Draco snorted, but he was grateful. "What about Lovegood? It's Valentines tomorrow, Zabini. You know how girls are rabid about holidays like this.

"Not my Luna." Blaise said fondly. "You know how she is. She'll understand."

"Thank you, but no thanks. I prefer drowning myself in alcohol without annoying Italians around."

"Zyron's at 8:30?"

"I told you, I don't want to-"

"8:30 it is. Be there, okay?" Blaise chuckled. "And I swear that I'm not going to bring you another surprise brunette present this time."

"You better be. I'll have your head if you bring me another prostitute."

"Scarlet wasn't a prostitute!"

Draco raised an eyebrow.

"I swear! She was just easily bribed with money, that's all."

Draco glared at him. "Schematics. I don't want another brunette, okay?"

"So you want a blonde this time?"

"I mean it, Blaise. Come alone or don't come at all."

"Ooh when you say it like that, I'm almost tempted to start batting for the other side. But I love Luna too much."

"Whatever," Draco mumbled as he picked up the photo and conjured a frame. "Now, get out of my office."

"Always the sourpuss." Blaise said with a laugh as he strode out of Draco Malfoy's office, knowing full well that he was going to have a shit time again tomorrow.

Draco never let anyone but Blaise go drinking with him. He was too private with his affections for Granger. Blaise, Luna, Weaslette, the Suicidal Duo, Dumbledore, Snape and Theo were the only ones who knew about Draco and Hermione's past relationship. They had planned to tell everyone after they graduated, when the war was in full motion. They would reveal that Draco and Blaise had been working as spies for the Order and that they had budding relationships with Hermione and Luna respectively.

But Hermione didn't get past that point.

She died even before the war came into full swing.

Draco massaged his temples, rolling back his shoulder in an attempt to relieve some of the exhaustion that he was feeling. His day had gone as any other day. He spent time screaming at the new interns in the Potions Department, talking to some of the idiots that call themselves competent wizards, and trying to stop thinking about her death anniversary tomorrow.

He glanced at the clock. 8:15. Better get there before Blaise and slip in a few drinks. He would need to be drunk to deal with the Italian and whoever he chooses to tag along with them.

He got up and shrugged on his coat and briefcase. He glanced at the picture of them together, now sitting in a sleek black frame that his secretary had bought him after seeing the picture. She recognized Hermione, and his secretary shot him a look of disbelief and... Understanding. He should really start remembering her name. He had a feeling that they were going to get along, especially after he saw her flirting with one of the female interns.

With a pop, he apparated to the club. This was the place where he liked to spend his time drinking. He knew the owner, and he knew that he wouldn't be disturbed.

He walked purposefully towards the Wolf-head entrance, smirking at the bouncer who nodded at him. Once inside, he felt the familiarity of the club's ambience. He nodded at few of the regulars, and made his way towards the bar.

"Mr. Malfoy." The bartender greeted as he sat down on one of his usual spots. "I could get your usual table spot ready."

"I'd like to request a bigger table, actually." He said, taking the scotch that the bartender passed him. He chugged it all in one gulped. Heaven knows that he had to be inebriated before attempting to deal with Blaise's annoyingness. "I'm waiting for a friend."

"A friend?" Ethan questioned, raising an eyebrow. He knew that the legendary über bachelor Draco Malfoy didn't date.

"Not like that!" Draco snapped, taking another drink. "He's of the male variety."

Ethan's eyebrows shot up higher.

"Blaise." Draco glared. "Blaise is going to be drinking with me."

"For a second there, I actually thought that you were implying that you're rooting for the other side." Ethan chuckled. "I'll make it a table for two, then."

"Make it three." Draco grunted, knowing Blaise well enough to expect a third party to their already reluctant duo. The italian never listened to Draco's threats of disfigurement. "I'm sure that he'll bring another blonde bimbo tonight."

"I think Theo's more raven haired than blonde, don't you think?" Blaise's voice drifted from behind him. Draco turned and saw Blaise heading towards him, Theodore Nott in tow. Theo frowned at Blaise, and then his attention shifted to Draco, and the former Slytherin's face broke into a grin.

"Malfoy! Still as blonde as ever." They shook hands and followed Ethan towards the less crowded part of the bar. "Still chatting up the bartenders, I see."

"That only happened once, Nott." Draco growled as he made sure that Ethan didn't hear the rather inappropriate comment. "And I didn't even know that he was gay!"

"Excuses, excuses." Theo smirked, settling into his booth seat. "So, what's going on with you two chaps? Anything worth listening to happened in the past 4 years while I was away? Not that anything exciting ever happens to you two when I'm not around."

"Quit praising yourself." Draco retorted. "You know that you only ever tag along to my frivolous adventures."

"More like frivolous mishaps."

"They were never mishaps. I never got punished."

"That's if you don't count going in the Forbidden Forest with a rabid dog and a stupid oaf as punishment. But knowing you, you probably didn't. Tell me Draco, did the whole bestiality thing appeal to you the most, or was it Hagrid's beard. I've heard so many story about Hagrid's beard."

"I do not need that visual." Blaise said, shuddering.

"Just because you have fantasies of having threesomes with the crazy gentle giant and the rabid dog doesn't mean we all do. I'm pretty sure that you would have done the ballet if it was you who got to be alone with those two."

"Well, I actually don't know about the ballet thing, mate. If I recall correctly, you were the one wearing leotards and dancing shoes." Theo smirked as Draco's ears turned pink. He gulped down another glass, preferring to ignore the sting of humiliation that usually came when he remembered his childhood days in lessons that Narcissa had thought necessary.

"Shut it, Nott."

"My, you two sure have missed bickering." Blaise chuckled, ordering several bottles of vodka from the three of them. "How was Brazil, Theo? And Drake? Ease up on the drinks."

"Stop mothering me, Zabini." Draco huffed as he drowned another glass.

"It was fine. Brazilians are as addicted to Quidditch as they are to that muggle sport they call football. It was fun though," Theo waggled his eyebrows, shooting mischievous glances at his two friends. "I met Brown and Patil there. Let's just say that the three of us were very well acquainted by the end of the night."

"Ugh, stop it with the visual abuse!" Blaise said, mirroring Draco's look of disgust.

"What? Luna never invited one of her Gryffindor friends to play with you?"

"Theo," Blaise warned, knowing all too well that the topic was too near that of Hermione.

"Stop it, Theo, I do not need anymore visuals of Gryffindors doing things like what you're implying." Draco blanched, chugging a glass of his vodka.

"I'm sure that you've seen plenty of Gryffindor skin yourself." Theo quipped, but he instantly sobered his expression up, knowing that he crossed the line. "Look, Drake, I -"

"Just shut it." Draco said steely, chugging another glass.

Trying to break the tension, Blaise said, "Draco, Theo didn't mean to remind you of-"

"I don't need to be reminded about her. She's in here-" he pointed at his chest, and then to his head "- and in here every fucking moment."

"Well, that was too bloody sentimental." Theo snorted, but his eyes showed pity. "How many drinks have you chugged? The Draco Malfoy that we all know and abhor would never say any of the bullshit that you just said, even if it saved his life."

"I should have told her how much I loved her." Draco said, ignoring Theo's comment and downing his 12th glass of vodka, he turned towards Blaise, saying, "I never told her that I loved her enough, didn't I? I never made sure that she would know how much I loved her. I've always assumed that she did."

Blaise sighed, but he nodded at his friend reassuringly, "Don't worry mate, she knew. She knows,"

Draco fixed him an almost sober looking stare, before his eyes turned glassy again. "But what if she didn't?"

"Zabini, I did not go out for a drink with you just to babysit Malfoy. Oy, Draco. How many shots did you have before we arrived?"

"I dunno." Draco answered sadly. "Four... Five? Can't remember... But I bet that she can. She always had a knack with numbers."

"Theo, Draco needs this, let's just-"

"It's been what? Five years? Surely by now he'd be over her enough to stop getting pissed drunk before anyone else has downed a glass. He's acting just as he was before I left! And that was four years ago!"

"Theo, just understand him. He's not normally this worse. He can handle himself, it's just that-"

"What? He saw someone who looked like Granger?" Theo said, but instead of annoyance that usually clouded his features, his brow was set with worry and his eyes looked anxious. "He needs to move on. Don't you see what it does to him? I would have expected more sense coming from you, Zabini! He's barely hanging on as he is! We should stop coddling him and make him accept the reality of the situation!"

"He does!" Blaise said shrilly, his gaze drifting from Theo towards their currently mumbling incoherently friend. The Italian fell silent for a moment, before saying, "It's her death anniversary tomorrow. That's why he's acting like he wants to drown himself in alcohol."

Theo's eyes went wide. He gave Blaise a surprised look, before shifting his attention to Draco, who was currently in the process of trying to down a whole bottle of vodka in one gulp. "How could I forget? He only ever allows people to go drinking with him on her death anniversaries."

"How do you know that?" Blaise asked as he tried to move the rest of the bottles away from Draco. "You only went with us once, and that was before your team got transferred to America."

"Theo had went into professional Quidditch, after the war. Then he had shocked everyone by joining an American team and moving to the States.

"Just because I was out of the country, doesn't mean that I've completely forgotten about you guys. Someone had to make sure that Draco didn't murder you during one of his tantrums." Theo shrugged nonchalantly. "But I take that he's better? I mean, this behavior is just exclusive to tonight, right?"

"Yeah, he's-"

"He's right here, you dumb arse holes." Draco grumbled. "Stop talking like I'm not here. She hated it when Potty and Weasel did that to her. I hate that. Got it?"

"Yes, Master Draco. Whatever you prefer, master Draco." Theo said sarcastically.

Draco seemed to miss the sarcasm, as he smiled and tiped his head, saying, "Very good. Now, pass me more vodka, will you?"

Blaise stared at the two, who was currently debating over what was the best way to drink straight from a bottle. He shook his head. Maybe dragging along Theo wasn't such a good idea. But at least now, there were five people who would remember Granger. He stood up as he took the bottle from the two, and then commenced to pour its contents down his own glass. He braced himself against the cushions, getting comfortable.

He had a long night of babysitting ahead of him.

A/n: Don't you just pity Blaise? Hahahaha :) I promise you guys, there would be more Dramione in the next chapter! :)