The weekend went by in a blur. She hadn't spoke to Ron at all over the weekend and according to Ginny no one had seen him either. She was starting to get worried and was sending owls to him every few hours just hoping for a reply. She'd even gone to the Burrow on Sunday only to be told she had just missed him. What was going on in Ron's head why hadn't he spoke to her? So much for the weekend to clear her head.
The Daily Prophet had started to report about the war in Canada. Things did seem bad over there the Prophet had also got hold of the news about the drafting somehow. Everywhere she went she was reminded of it even muggle newspapers were reporting about trouble in Canada even though they didn't know what it really was.
She got into the Ministry Monday morning to people staring at her, everyone knew how close she was to Harry and Ron. Every move she made from the atrium up to her office she felt eyes on her. She couldn't get into her own office quick enough. She dumped her stuff on the floor and leaned on her desk with both hands trying to steady her breathing.
Draco had seen the news about the war and the drafting it was difficult not to. He also knew this would be affecting Hermione. He went and got the usual coffees and made his way to her office. When he went in he saw her leaning on her desk almost in a full blown panic attack. He put the coffees down and threw his stuff on the floor next to hers and walked over to her. She had tears running down her face.
'Hermione.' He said softly. 'You need to calm down.'
She had her hands in her hair and her breathing was ragged now. He stepped towards her and took her face in his hands making her look at him but her eyes where everywhere but on him.
'Look at me Hermione.' He said. She just shook her head. 'Jesus Granger just look at me!' She was so shocked she did. 'Right now breathe. That's it come on, deep breaths. Calm down.' He could see it was working her breathing becoming steadier and she was starting to shake less. After a while she'd calmed down. 'Right are you ok now?' He asked.
'Erm I think so.' She whispered 'Thank you.'
She was still looking at him with her head in his hands when the door was opened and Ron came in. They both jumped apart at his sudden appearance. Hermione thought she'd be grateful when she finally saw Ron and seen that he was ok but she was just angry.
'What's going on?' He asked eyeing Draco who was stood rather close to Hermione.
'I had a panic attack and he helped me get it under control.' She sucked in a shaky breath 'Where the hell have you been Ron?'
'I needed to clear my head get things straight' He was still looking at Draco, who was also staring back.
'Why didn't you answer any of my owls or just tell me you were ok?' She could feel the tears coming back. 'I was worried sick!'
'I'm sorry 'mione.' He finally looked at her properly she looked a mess tear stained face and her curly hair more wild than usual. 'Can we go somewhere and talk? I need to tell you something.'
Draco was starting to put the pieces together Wesley had obviously took off when he found out about the war and the drafting and left Hermione to her own devices not even letting her know he was ok.
'No!' She almost shouted. 'I'm too angry with you to be around you right now. Just go.' And she turned away from him.
He made to move forward but Draco stood in front of him blocking his path. 'You heard her Weasley. Leave.' He almost hissed.
'What the fuck do you know Malfoy?' He tried to push past but Draco just pushed him away harder.
'Leave!' He shouted.
'No! 'Mione come on let's talk about this.' Ron begged.
'Just leave Ron.' She sighed 'You can come over tonight but I need time right now.'
Ron left slamming the door behind him while Hermione collapsed in the chair. It was barely 10 o'clock and she was already exhausted. Draco looked at her and he knew then that he could easily fall for this girl. He moved to her and knelt on the floor taking her hands in his.
'Hermione.' He said softly. 'Are you ok?'
She looked down on him and squeezed his hands. 'No.' she said tears running down her face again. 'But I will be I just need a minute.'
'Do you want me to leave?' Silently begging her not to send him away he didn't want to leave her like this.
'No.' she took a deep shaky breath and let it go. 'I'll be ok in a minute.'
He tightened his grip on her hands. 'Ok' He whispered looking at her. He could see her calming down. He thought it best to change the subject so he started telling her his ideas for the new law never taking his hands away.
'I like those ideas. They make sense.' She took her hands away from his and took up her quill.
He was slightly disappointed. It took him a minute to move, being on his knees for so long and mourning the loss of her touch. 'Should I go get us some more coffee? These have gone cold.'
'That would be great Draco thankyou.' She didn't look up.
He got back with the coffees and they worked all day even through lunch which Draco went to pick up. Hermione wasn't up to all the staring and was worried Ron would be there. He was.
'Where's Hermione?' He said to Draco.
'Working.' Is all Draco said in Reply and turned to leave.
'Malfoy.' Ron shouted. 'I need to talk to her.'
'And you'll get the chance tonight.' Draco looked at him. 'She doesn't want to see you right now. Leave her to her space.'
He thought he heard Weasley shout something at him as he left but he just ignored it and made his way back to Hermione.
It was coming on for five thirty and they had made a huge amount of progress and they were happy with what they had achieved. Finally something good came of today apart from how good Draco had been to her.
'Erm, Draco.' She said he was buried in some paper work.
'Yeah' He didn't even raise his head properly eyes still on the papers in his hand.
'I just wanted to thank you for today.' She hurried out. He was looking at her now. 'I know it must have been uncomfortable for you. I just wanted to say thank you.'
'You don't need to say thankyou.' He smiled 'It's what friends do for each other right? Comfort them over their idiot boyfriends?'
'Draco, Ron is not...' She didn't get to finish he started to talk over her.
'Yes he is Hermione. Did he leave you the whole weekend without getting in touch? Idiot move. Then he came bounding in here and upset you all over again. Another idiot move.' He looked at her now 'I'm just glad I was here to comfort you.'
'Yes' She said why deny it? 'But he's my idiot boyfriend and I have to try.'
'Whatever you want Granger.' He said getting his stuff. She didn't miss the Granger he was mad at her. 'Can I get you that drink tonight?'
'Not tonight I have to go face Ron.' She said weakly.
'Well' He said rubbing his eyes with his thumb and finger. 'I'll be in the pub round the corner if you change your mind or he makes some other idiot move.' He walked out the door.
Dammit he didn't know what he was doing anymore. He should probably try and get out of spending so much time with her but he only wanted to find out how to prolong it. He made it to the bar and ordered a whiskey. Muggle whiskey wasn't the same as fire whiskey but it'll do.