11 January, Tuesday, 0535 GMT
Draco had left the maternity ward five minutes before he found himself sitting next to Hermione's hospital bed. He had become used to the electronic beeps emitted by the EKG machine; they were almost hypnotic. He shut his eyes, figuring he would get some sleep.
Today was not a good day. He would have to spend it in the Wizarding World with his parents. They had scheduled a function to which he was obliged to participate; familial obligation played a large part in the Malfoy family. Most of the other Pure-blood families would also attend.
He bolted upright as he thought he heard something. He thought he had seen her eyelids flutter. He increased the brightness of the lighting in the room.
He took in a breath as he watched her flinch at the light. She coughed trying to take in a breath. Draco pressed the button for the nurse's station.
"Hey," he said as he placed his palm on her face.
"The baby," Hermione said, her voice cracking.
"Drew's fine," he answered.
She looked up into his face as tears started to roll down her cheeks. Draco started to shed tears as well.
"I'm so sorry, Hermione," Draco said.
"Not your fault," Hermione shut her eyes for a moment. She looked back up into his face. The two quickly looked at the doorway of the room as several medical personnel rushed into the ICU room.
"What happened?" Nurse Rodriguez asked alarmed. She smiled as she saw the young doctor's eyes flutter.
"Hermione," the veteran doctor said as she entered the room behind the nurses.
Draco stepped away from the hospital bed as the medical team crowded around the patient. He stood against the wall just watching the coordination amongst them. They checked her vitals and reflexes. Hermione had answered all of their questions coherently. They examined her for what seemed like a good half hour.
"You are amazing, you know that, young lady," Dr. Elizabeth Masterson laughed, shaking her head as the rest of the medical team left the room. "Your vitals are good. So, too, are your reflexes. We'll still have to do an MRI later on today, though."
"Thanks, Liz," Hermione said, shutting her eyes.
"Don't thank me," Dr. Masterson said as she took a seat. "You should thank Draco here for getting you to the hospital in time."
Hermione looked at her former classmate. She nodded at him. He nodded back at her as he took the seat next to the older doctor.
"The whole hospital seemed to have come through this room," Dr. Masterson said. "Poppy also helped out."
Hermione knew to whom her supervisor was referring. She took a gulp as she waited for the older woman to explain.
o-o-o
11 January, Tuesday, 0627 GMT
Hermione couldn't look Draco in the eye as she listened to Dr. Masterson retell the occurrences of the past five days. She learned that her baby was in an incubator upstairs. She learned that her supervisor was a Half-blood witch who chose to work in the Muggle world and that she knew Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.
She learned that she was on life support for the past week. She also learned that her former rival had stayed at her side for most of that time. She shut her eyes, resting them for a moment as she listened.
Dr. Masterson stood up and squeezed her hand. "You should get some sleep, Hermione. We won't schedule the MRI until mid afternoon," the older doctor said. "That goes for you, too, Draco. Get some shuteye."
"Yes, Ma'am," Draco said as he watched the doctor exit the room.
Draco watched Hermione's chest rise and fall, her eyes closed. She had fallen asleep, he thought to himself. He kissed her forehead before taking a seat, shutting his eyes as well. He knew he would have to leave for home in another three hours, but that bridge will be crossed when the time comes.
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