Chapter Forty-Four: Two is Better Than One
So maybe it's true, that I can't live without you
Well maybe two is better than one
There's so much time, to figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two, is better than one
- Two is Better Than one, by Boys Like Girls
Hermione watched Harry walk nonchalantly to the bookcase she had enchanted for him the previous summer. She held her breath when he pulled out a random book as if to glance at the title, then let the air out with a smile when the small green box she was looking for was slipped deftly from the pages and into Harry's hand. Ginny, for how observant she was, was looking on at her family's gifts and wondering if what Harry had planned for her was more private in nature. Hermione found Draco's hand and grabbed it as she watched Harry approach Ginny and then drop to one knee in front of her.
"Ginevra Molly Wealsey," Harry said slowly. "And I only dare say that because I know you would hex me into the next century if I ever tried it any other time. You've been the brightest light and the biggest promise in my life. Please, will you do the honor of marrying me?"
Ginny stared down at Harry in shock as she took in the ring he offered up to her. She could tell that her mouth was opening and closing on its own accord, but for the first time since she was very young the sight of Harry Potter left her stammering and speechless. Wordlessly she launched herself at him and threw her arms around his neck.
"Erm," Harry laughed a little. "Is that a yes?"
Still struggling to remember how to enunciate, Ginny nodded furiously with her head buried into his neck and the room erupted with whooping and clapping.
Hermione squeezed Draco's hand again and joined Ginny's family as they gathered around her and Harry with hugs and smiles and she felt her heart hammer with the excitement and love of it all.
"Bill is going to be so peeved he missed this!" George said as gleefully as Hermione could remember seeing him since the war.
"My baby!" Molly was sniffling through tears but had the biggest smile on her face. "Aren't you both still so young? Oh Harry darling I had no idea!"
"I had Hermione charm a good hiding place until the time was right," Harry said as he wrestled out of Molly's arms half-heartedly and accepted Hermione's embrace. "The ring was among some of Sirius's things, so I was hoping to get some more opinions on it. The Goblins tell me it was once owned by a Dorea Black who ended up marrying one of my great-great-something or others. When I found it it sort of reminded me of Ginny, see the way the setting waves up? I'd love to know more about it."
"I was starting to think I enchanted that book for nothing," Hermione had planted a kiss on Harry's cheek and then went over to hug Ginny and look at the ring for a second time. "Harry didn't want to leave it in his vault because he swore the right time would strike him when he least expected it. Harry, did you plan this?"
"No," Harry replied honestly as he shook hands with his future father-in-law before Ron came over to clap him on the back. "Well, not until you left the other evening. I probably stayed up half the night rehearsing my speech." Harry then grinned self-consciously at Ginny. "I hope I did okay."
Ginny wasn't a crier, but she had tears in her eyes that seemed to amplify the blueness in them and Hermione couldn't remember ever seeing Ron's little sister look so incredibly lovely.
"I surly wouldn't marry you for your way with words," Ginny teased gently. "It was perfect."
Hagrid then came over to offer his congratulations and Hermione stepped back to give the newly engaged couple a little more room to breath and accept the good will that was overflowing from mouths and cups from the guests. She found Draco had held back and was with his mother and Andromeda.
"I'm going to go wish the happy couple well," Narcissa told Draco as Hermione approached. "Dromeda, do you want to see if maybe we can place the ring? Do you recall a Dorea Black?" Narcissa took her sister's arm and led her away from Draco when Hermione reached him.
"Would you like your present?" Draco asked with a grin.
Hermione furrowed her brows with disappointment. "I told you that you already gave me enough gifts for the holiday."
"Would it make you feel better if I told you I didn't spend one knut?" Draco asked.
Hermione faltered. "Did you make it?"
"I already had it." Draco pulled out gold-wrapped gift the size of a deck of cards from the back pocket of his trousers.
Hermione took it and opened the package gently.
"You don't have to save the wrapping paper, Granger," Draco joked.
"I'm not trying to," Hermione laughed. "I'm just curious."
"Well, hurry up," Draco encouraged. "I'm anxious."
Hermione peeled the paper away and let it fall to the floor to reveal what looked like a trilogy of books big enough for a doll entitled The Comprehensive History of the Modern House-Elf, with Companion Stories by Leonard Workwright.
"I had to shrink them or they wouldn't travel well," Draco said sheepishly. "Engorgio."
Hermione felt her arms tremble under the weight and she quickly put the set of books down on a nearby chair until they reached their normal proportions. Draco was right, the three books bound together with some strips of leather were each enormously bigger than any textbook she had ever managed to get her hands on and then some.
"Draco, are these what I think they are?" Hermione asked in amazement.
"If you think these are a history of how House Elves came to be, with fictional yet whimsical fairy tales for House Elf children then you would be correct," Draco replied with an easy smirk.
"Are these the books you told me about in the pub?" Hermione remembered that day when one of the students tried to attack them with Fred and George's creation only to have Hermione snuff it out. They had gone to a quiet Muggle pub and Draco had tried to convince Hermione that House Elves were perfectly happy to be slaves.
"Leonard Workwright was a House Elf once owned by the Prewett family," Draco told her. "And I'm almost certain Ron's mum is a relation to them. He was also an accomplished story teller that went by 'Lenny' when he wasn't trying to publish something the general wizard populace would read. I'm not trying to convince you that there wasn't a great deal of prejudice, Granger, because there was, there is. Lenny took the story of his people very seriously, and his family didn't dissuade him. He tracked down different elves from all over and interviewed them and learned their history and that became his life's work. He also collected old bedtime stories that he would share with the children of his family. I would be willing to bet if you let Weasley flip through those old pages he would find he knew quite a few, and they all originally came from House Elves."
Hermione was so touched Draco had remembered that conversation, one that seemed to have taken place so long ago, that she just reached her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a deep kiss.
"I can't wait to read them, all of it," Hermione told him once they broke apart. "And I can't believe you actually remembered talking about that."
"You were so adamant," Draco shrugged. "I don't want you to think that I'm trying to defend the way some wizards treat their House Elves, but I think you have the wrong impression as a whole. I'm truly sorry about what happened with Dobby, we were great friends once. Most of the time when an elf does not feel love for a house anymore the magic that binds them to the family evaporates. You'll read all about that I'm sure, but I wanted you to know from me. I never would have treated Dobby the way my father did."
"He saved us that day," Hermione remembered sadly. "It hurts me that he'll never be remembered the way we remember him."
"Hey now," Draco said with some alarm as Hermione wiped her eyes. "Do you think he would appreciate you mourning him on Christmas Eve? I promise you, Hermione, read the books. You might even be able to track down some of his kin, the genealogy has been kept up to date until, oh, a couple days ago."
"You had your other House Elves check?" Hermione asked him.
"Well," Draco hurried on. "It's theirs, too, the books. The set I gave you are copies of the originals, as the elves like to keep on top of all things, including births and deaths. You'll find the genealogy changes with time, a lot like the registry Hogwarts uses to find new witches and wizards. I just asked the elves at the manor when I asked mother if I could gift them to you if they were as up to date as possible. They spent a few hours reminiscing and pouring over the different lines. It's as up to date as it gets."
Hermione was speechless. Despite what Draco had told her before of elf lore, she hadn't really believed him, but if the proof were to be at her fingertips, how could she argue? She remembered the Hogwarts elves positively avoided her misshapen hats, could it be because they truly loved Hogwarts as their home?
"You amaze me," Hermione said and stood up taller for another kiss. "Thank you, and thank your mother. I'm going to treasure these."
"I doubt you need to thank her," Draco said sheepishly. "She was rather adamant that I give you whatever you wanted. I think she took a fancy to you."
Hermione smiled brightly and then turned around to look at the rest of the party. Narcissa was bent down over Teddy after giving him her gift of a game Hermione didn't recognize. Ginny was now showing the ring to Neville and Luna and the rest of the party was mingling and clinking drinks together like they had done it for years. Even Blaise and Pansy were deep in conversation with Ron and Percy and Hermione wondered briefly if she had too much to drink.
"I'm not imagining this, right?" Hermione asked Draco.
"If you are, then I am as well," Draco said and took a swig of punch.
"I didn't tell Harry to invite Pansy," Hermione felt it was necessary to make that clear.
"I know," Draco told her. "I'm starting to think I wasn't wrong about Potter doing whatever the hell he wants."
"True," Hermione conceded. "But I didn't want you to think I went behind your back after you told me you didn't think it would be okay to invite her. I just never actually told him not to. I'm surprised, to be honest."
"I think what you're seeing is the start of a tradition, Granger," Draco said as he took in the atmosphere himself.
"Does it make you feel alive?" Hermione turned to him then.
Draco looked down at the girl in front of him and then around the room at his odd mix of family and sort-of-friends. "Maybe that's the word I was looking for all night," Draco said to her. "It's not as exhilarating as battling semi-transparent foes with you, but this is something. I don't ever think I had this something."
"It's like home, Malfoy," Hermione took his arm and leaned against it. "It's like coming home after a very long day."
"No," Draco corrected. "It's like coming home after a very long war."
Hermione's smile turned watery again before she blinked back the happy tears that were threatening to spill over.
"Harry and Ginny are going to get married," Hermione sighed happily. "It's like a fairy tale."
"I don't know about that," Draco muttered. "Did you know?" He asked a little louder.
"Did I know he was going to propose?" Hermione asked. "I knew he planned on it, but I didn't know when or how. This was a happy surprise."
Draco merely nodded then and noted those in attendance. He still didn't understand his girlfriend's relationship with his former rival, and honestly? He didn't really care. Potter was important to her, and vice versa. Hermione told Draco it was platonic, and judging by the goofy way Potter was looking at Ginny Weasley now in a room full of onlookers Draco couldn't doubt it. Perhaps it was like his own relationship with one Pansy Parkinson, who was making her way over to him now.
"Quite the spectacle," Pansy observed once she was in ear range of Draco and Hermione. "Gryffindors sure know how to throw a party."
"I doubt it was a party trick," Hermione said dryly, looking from Harry and Ginny to the blonde girl.
"I'm not saying it was," Pansy dismissed her. "I like a good romance. This is good romance."
Hermione looked at Pansy, as though trying to figure out if the Slytherin girl was making fun, it didn't seem like she was, or if she was, at least she was not going out of her way to be petty. Hermione decided to let it go.
"We used to listen to the radio to see if anyone we knew had died," the words just poured out of Hermione's mouth before she could think about what she was saying. "This Christmas makes it feel like that was someone else's lifetime ago." She felt Draco and Pansy stiffen around her when Blaise and Neville joined them.
"You were waiting for the worst while hoping it never came," Blaise said smoothly. "I think we all were."
Neville looked to Draco and then Hermione. "When we saw the three of them pop into the pub that night it was like Christmas," he shrugged. "Only I prefer this Christmas. As happy as I was to see them, I hope to never again feel that way."
Pansy looked at Neville then and self-consciously rubbed her hands together in front of her chest like they were cold. "I'm sorry for the way I acted that night," she told Neville, still nervously playing her hands together. "I was scared. I didn't want to die. I didn't want my parents to die."
Hermione closed her eyes for a moment and hoped Neville didn't take the admission the wrong way. Pansy probably didn't know about Neville's own parents, and the admission itself was a huge step.
"Why didn't the lot of you say something?" Neville asked Pansy, not angrily, but not dismissive either.
"What would you have had me say?" Pansy shot back. "I was a Seventh year Slytherin with a perfect pedigree of pure wizard blood, quite like you, actually. Unlike you, You-Know-Who scared me. What was I supposed to say to the Carrows? Should I have gone to Snape? Why would I go to Snape? I didn't know he was Dumbledore's man the whole time, neither did you. Why would I get myself sent to the Forbidden Forrest with the lot of you? If I knew then what I know now maybe I could have tried harder, but we can't all aspire to be Gryffindors you know!"
Neville looked dumbfounded for just a moment, but merely said; "We could have taken You-Know-Who on, if we had the whole school."
"No," Pansy shook her head. "Are you serious? The whole school?" Pansy actually looked distraught at the thought. "What?" She asked again on a roll. "A bunch of first and second years along with the rest of us? How is that even fair to them or me? You couldn't even open a lock with your wand as a first year and you would ask them to take on Deatheaters? It wasn't worth it to me to try. I'm not sorry that makes me sound like a bad person, but the people I loved, the people I love, were and are safe. I wouldn't gamble that. I couldn't gamble that. I'm not daft enough to sacrifice myself on the off chance that the bad guy would forget where I came from and who my friends and family are."
It was obvious that Neville had never thought of it that way before. It still didn't deter him.
"You know the difference between right and wrong," Neville told his former classmate. "You don't have to be N.E.W.T.S. level to know that.
"Whose right?" Pansy shot back. "Whose wrong? I don't give a damn about blood but everyone I loved was safe when I played along. Maybe you Gryffindors are in it for the greater good, but I'm loyal. I'll do everything I can and would throw another person to a Manticor before I saw someone I love get hurt."
Neville, to his credit, took pause in that. "You don't think that You-Know-Who was right about the way the world should work?" He asked Pansy.
"Do I look daft to you?" Pansy looked around for a moment and then took the drink Draco was holding out of his hands and threw it back. "He was a madman. Those of us with half a brain knew better."
"Then wh-"
"Because he was a brilliant and powerful," Pansy cut him off. "Sometimes it's better to wait out a storm rather than try weathering it."
Neville ran ran his hand over his head again but he was nodding. "We would have helped you," he finally said. "It's not like we all thought Slytherins were automatically Deatheaters."
"Not most of us, anyway," Ron joined the group with a uncharacteristically thoughtful tray of Kreacher's punch. The five gathered helped themselves quickly while Ron vanished the tray after taking the last drink for himself.
"Questionable subject matter for Christmas Eve, isn't it?" Ron looked at Neville.
"It's my fault," Hermione confessed. "I wasn't thinking before I spoke, and then it just snowballed."
"You? No!" Ron dramatically clutched at his heart in faux surprise. "Please say it isn't so!"
Hermione's face split into a huge grin. "Stop being an arse, Ron."
"No," Draco objected. "Do keep going. The impression is spot-on."
Hermione elbowed Draco but continued smiling. Somehow Ron had managed, in his own way, to defuse any escalating emotion without effort.
Neville took a drink from the glass Ron delivered and ran his hand through his short hair like he was bracing himself for something. He turned to Pansy.
"I'm sorry your last year at Hogwarts was ruined," he told the Slytherin. "I never thought about how hard it probably was for the rest of the school trying to figure out a way to go on like things were okay."
"I never wanted any of it," Pansy was looking at Neville but spoke to the group. "But they knew my parents, they had Draco-" she turned abruptly to look at her friend, who met her gaze and nodded with encouragement. "At some point along the way I learned to play the game and I kept playing. I thought that as long as I stayed in line like a good Slytherin no one would be hurt on my account. I still don't think I was wrong, but I regret not trying harder to at least seeing of an option was available to me. I didn't think their was."
"Not all Slytherins are Deatheaters," Ron said unexpectedly while he looked over at Andromeda playing under the tree with her grandson and her sister. He then looked over at Neville.
"I get it," Neville finally said. "I don't agree with it, but I get it. The Carrows tortured me before I could get to the Room of Requirement about where Harry was, or what was going on in the school. I understand the feeling of being backed into a corner."
Hermione was almost positive she was good and drunk at that point, because Pansy raised her glass in Neville's direction in a faux toast.
"Let's try to not let any lunatics with a snake fetish get too far next time, shall we?" Pansy raised an eyebrow and then took a drink. The rest of their bizarre group followed with a laugh.
"To what are we toasting?" Harry wandered to the group just then with a jubilant grin on his face.
For some reason Draco felt like he couldn't stand to see that goofy face falter over the heavy subject they had just been discussing.
"Weasley was giving us a dramatic demonstration of Granger's more patented looks, while Pansy and Longbottom were preparing to snog. You sure know how to throw a party, Potter."
Harry stopped and then looked to Hermione and Ron, both who could not help but laugh at their friend.
"He's teasing," Hermione finally said. "And not too well. So when's the wedding?"
The abrupt change of subject was not lost on Draco, or anyone else for that matter except for Harry, who blushed.
"She still needs to finish school," Harry said finally. "After that, we'll see. I'm still surprised she said yes."
"She's had it for you since she was ten," Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Don't be coy."
"I mean she had other boyfriends," Harry argued but then shrugged his shoulders and grabbed Ron's glass for a drink. "And the last year has been...different. I thought I was being presumptuous."
"You're a catch, Harry," Hermione said happily and took another sip. "Ginny has always been mad about you. Did Narcissa or Andromeda have any ideas about the ring?"
Harry shrugged. "Narcissa said she has some old albums she would go through. Andromeda took some from the house here last summer she said she would go through. It would be nice if we knew the story, why it was in the vault. The best curse-breakers worked on it and couldn't find anything wrong with the setting or the gem so I don't think there's anything wrong. I wore it on my pinky for a month just to be sure."
Hermione stiffed a giggle. "I don't know if it's quite your style, Harry," she told him.
"I kept banging it off things," Harry admitted. "But it looks amazing on Ginny."
"That it does," Hermione looked over at Ginny, who was chatting with Luna now. "I think you surprised her."
"Maybe," Harry said happily.
The rest of the night went as well as Hermione could imagine. Gifts were opened left and right, Hermione, Harry, and Ron took a quiet minute to themselves before Teddy made out like a bandit between his friends and extended family. Harry's toy broomstick was a hit, and George, Ginny, Ron, and Harry took turns giving the little boy all the flying advice they've accumulated over the years and Teddy was ecstatic being the center of attention. Harry was already sizing up which position his godson would be playing when he went to Hogwarts.
"Seeker," Harry said adamantly to the group while Hermione and Draco looked on.
"Absolutely not," Ginny argued. "He's obviously a Chaser, he's so quick and focused!"
"Exactly what traits you need to be a Seeker!" Harry said happily.
"Are you sure?" Ron asked. "I think he could be a Keeper for sure."
"I don't know about that," George interjected. "He has the look of a Beater. I bet if we gave him a club he could be walloping some opponents before too long."
"Maybe we should wait to see what Teddy wants to do?" Hermione asked gently as Teddy zoomed past at her thigh level.
Ginny laughed when Teddy passed her and nodded towards Hermione. There wasn't a thing in the world that could bring Ginny down tonight, she kept looking down at the ring on her left hand and grinning from ear to ear. Christmas cheer was overflowing at Harry's house and Hermione felt like she could fly without a broom.
Just as they came, the guests dwindled away. Luna and her father were the first to leave, followed by everyone else until Hermione, Draco, Harry, and the Weasley's were left.
"No sleepovers now," Molly said with a happy smile. "Harry dear I know we have time, but there's so much to discuss. Are you available for dinner next week?"
"I think our New Year's plans are still up in the air," Harry said while looking at Ginny for confirmation. "But we can get together once school lets out."
Ginny grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. "We have all the time in the world," she said to him. "No hurry. I'm kind of enjoying just looking at the ring."
The way Harry looked at her when Ginny looked up at him with her smile made Draco wonder why he never noticed the way couples looked at each other. Had he ever seen his parents look at each other like that?
The Weasleys all gathered in the hall to say their goodbyes to Hermione and Draco. Molly kissed them both on their foreheads and Hermione could have sworn that Draco blushed. Ron was staying with Harry for the night, and they would both make their way to the Weasley home in the morning.
"You both must come, of course." Molly told Hermione and Draco as she hustled her family out the door. "Dinner, at the very least."
"That would be lovely," Draco said, much to Hermione's surprise. "My mother-"
"Oh she must come, too!" Molly added happily. "Andromeda and Teddy will be by. A real family affair!"
If Draco was surprised he didn't show it. "Thank you," he told her. "I think she'll really love it. I'll let her know."
Molly and the rest of her family left then with tidings of joy and Hermione couldn't remember the last time her heart felt so full. Her own parents and their words creeped most unwanted into her head, but she beat them back with every hug her magical family gave her.
"Are you sure you two don't want to stay the night?" Harry asked as Ron closed the door after his family. "There's no reason to go back to Hogwarts tonight."
"I'd like to pick up a text I left in my room to compare with the books Draco gave me," Hermione told them. She thought the evening had been perfect, but she didn't want to push Ron with sharing a roof with Draco. Baby steps, and she needed to air some things out with her friend before long.
"You do realize there will not be an exam?" Draco teased her gently before going to get their coats.
Hermione just kept grinning as she embraced Harry and Ron. "Thank you for humoring me, Harry," she said to him. "We'll hammer out the details for New Years and see you tomorrow?"
"We'll save some ham," Harry promised. "Try to resist bringing reading materials."
"We'll see," Hermione laughed and hugged them both again before Draco offered her her coat to slip into.
"Ready?" Draco asked her before looking up at Harry an offering his hand. "Thanks for tonight," he said to his former rival. "I think it meant a lot to everyone."
Harry shook it. "Anytime. Well, maybe not anytime soon, I'm beat and I think Kreacher is going to need to sleep for a week after the preparations he made."
"Noted," Draco said with an easy smile and offered his hand out to Ron.
To Ron's credit, he didn't even hesitate to take it. Hermione could have lost herself in a cocoon of happiness as they made their way out the door and disappeared into the night.
On their way up the path to the school, Hermione let out her hundredth contented sigh of the evening and looked up to the stars over their heads. Kreacher's punch was still buzzing lightly in the back of her head and she felt like she could take on a mountain troll.
"That went really well," she said to Draco. "Beyond well, actually. Everyone was incredible."
"It was touch and go there for a minute with Longbottom and Pansy," Draco said wryly. "I thought they were going to start throwing punches."
"True," Hermione looked ahead at the castle growing closer. "But I think in a strange was it was also beneficial for the two of them. Cathartic, maybe."
"A lot more sane than talking to a rock, eh Granger?" Draco teased her as the walked, remembering when he came across Hermione in the graveyard.
Hermione bumped him with her shoulder playfully and shushed him. "It was really great," she said happily. Like the start of a new beginning. It felt like we really laid the past to rest."
Draco yawned. "The past isn't the only thing I want to put to rest. I can't wait to sleep."
Hermione smiled and pulled open the door to the castle. The halls were quiet and Hermione was sure the few people staying in the castle were long tucked into their beds. They quietly made their way toward their dormitories using their wands to light the way. The fire dancing in the sconces on the walls cast a little light, but they still strained their eyes to avoid running into furniture or suits of armor.
"It's a little exhilarating to be allowed to walk about the castle after curfew," Hermione laughed. "And a lot more comfortable than trying to keep yourself hidden under the invisibility cloak."
"Some of us had to explore at night the old fashioned way," Draco said sarcastically. "By using stealth."
"I'm sure Mrs. Norris will be around soon to ry to get us in trouble," Hermione added. "She's not one for letting students get away with being out of bed."
"Miserable old cat," Draco grumbled darkly. "She's the reason for at least half of my detentions."
"Well you were breaking the rules," Hermione pointed out as the climbed a staircase.
"Look who's talking, Miss brews Polyjuice potion in the loo," Draco chided.
Hermione laughed again and bounced up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. "Touche, Malfoy. Touche."
They had reached the floor their dormitories were located on and were only another hall away when the fires lighting the corridor flickered out in a gust of cold wind.
"What the-" Draco stopped and looked around.
"No no," Hermione moaned. "No. No. No. No!"
"What?" Draco was still looking around wildly.
"The Maliceptor!" Hermione yelled. "Where is it?
"I don't see anything," Draco grabbed her hand. "Maybe it was just the wind."
"Then what's that?" Hermione turned him around and nodded to the staircase they had just climbed. They both watched with horrified fascination as the top of the Maliceptor came into view, its legs reaching out as it did before to take a step, pause, and then reach out again. It was stalking them. The light from their wands reflected off the oily exterior of the creature,
"I don't have anything to hit it with," Draco said quietly to Hermione like a loud noise would cause it to come faster. It was at the top of the stairs now and less than twenty feet away.
Hermione looked around wildly for something they could use to defend themselves. A long antique stood beside them but there was nothing to grab, and it was too short to provide a barrier.
"Sectumsempra," Hermione whispered. "It was the only thing that worked last time. I blasted it twice and it disintegrated into smoke. Maybe together we'll be able to vanish it in one hit."
"Now or never, Granger," Draco said out of the corner of his mouth when the Maliceptor reared up about ten feet away and looked prepared to spring.
"One," Hermione counted. "Two, three!"
"SECTUMSEMPRA!" They shouted as the Maliceptor crashed down on them.
"Hermione!" Draco shouted as Hermione fell against the table beside them.
"SECTUMSEMPRA!" He yelled again as the Maliceptor turned towards Hermione, who was trying to regain her footing after her fall. The dark creature was beginning to fall apart in smokey ribbons
When hit with the spell again the Maliceptor exploded into thick smoke as Hermione has witnessed before. Draco ran through the remnants oily vapor straight to Hermione's side.
"Are you alright?" He asked her.
Hermione was standing on her own, but clutching at her side. "Ouch," she gritted through her teeth. "I think I might have cracked a rib on that table."
"Come on, lets get you to the hospital wing," Draco took her hand gently. "Can you walk?"
Hermione nodded. She took a step and flinched, holding back another yelp of pain.
"Come here," Draco swooped down on her and delicately pulled her into his arms, taking care to avoid touching her side. "Put your arm behind my neck."
"Malfoy, what are you doing?" Hermione protested weakly. "I can walk just fine."
"I'd rather you not hurt yourself any more tonight," Draco said as he made his way back to the staircase. "And it's only one floor. I'll have you there quicker that you can walk."
"You could just levitate me then," Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I'd just have you bouncing into things," Draco looked down at her with a smirk. "Besides, I'm rather fond of keeping you close."
Hermione rolled her eyes again but smiled. "Alright, deliver me quickly then, it's throbbing something awful."
Draco half-sprinted down the stairs, careful to keep his footing, and arrived at the hospital wing just within a few minutes.
"Hello?" Draco called out to the dark room. All the beds were empty and Draco wasn't actually sure the protocol was to wake the school healer in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve, or was it Christmas by now? Draco gingerly laid Hermione down on one of the beds just as Madam Pomfrey entered from another room dressed in her night clothes.
"Oh dear, not again," Pomfrey said with a shake of her head. "Miss Granger, one of these days you need to graduate so you stop landing in my hospital. Was it that thing again?"
"Yes Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said. "I fell against a table in one of the corridors upstairs, I hurt a rib or two, but I'm okay."
"Let me take a look," Madam Pomfrey was at her side with a hospital gown and Draco turned around while the nurse lifted Hermione's shirt off and handed her the gown while she inspected the damage.
"Tsk tsk," Pomfrey said under her breath. How's this?" She pressed two fingers to Hermione's side and Hermione yelped in surprise.
"Bruised, I do believe. Not broken, which is for the best. You'll just need to take it easy and I'll get you something for the pain and to help you sleep. You should be right as rain when you wake up. Slip the gown on and get comfortable."
Hermione did as she was told and settled back into the bed, Draco turned back around and pulled up a chair to her side.
"How are you?" Draco asked.
"I'll be great once I get a potion for this," Hermione gently patted her side. "How are you?"
"Just fine," Draco smiled at her. "I guess it was your turn to take the punches this round."
"What's that noise?" Hermione cocked her head and looked towards the door to the hospital wing. Outside voices were arguing and Hermione was sure she heard McGonagall.
Draco shrugged. "Probably cranky we woke up the school again, lay back and relax, Granger."
Hermione looked at him and smiled. "Still not my worst Christmas Eve," she said suddenly very tired.
"Nor mine," Draco leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Not even by a long shot."
(A/N) Call this the calm before the storm. I have the next chapter just about done and I love it, and it's going to be about as angsty as it gets. It's going to be a wild ride! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! You can also find me on Tumblr as arielxwriter. Until next time!