19 May, Saturday, 2325 BST

"No!" Draco screamed opening his eyes as he awoke. His connection to Hermione's subconscious mind was severed. He looked at his hands for moment as if he could still feel the plasma on his palms. Draco's breath hitched as he saw the chaotic scene before him. He sprang from his chair, surprising the medical staff that was feverishly tending to the former Gryffindor witch. Machine alarms were blaring.

"What's going on?" Draco asked as he tried to get closer to Hermione's bedside.

"Greg, get him out of here," the cagey old nurse shouted over the alarms.

The mediwizard nodded before tugging on Draco's elbow. Draco resisted for a moment. Gregory grabbed his former housemate by the collar of his shirt, ushering him out of the crowded room, leaving Madame Pomfrey and mediwitch Potter to tend to the patient.

Draco finally wrenched himself from Greg's grasp. "What's happening?"

"Come on. Let's take a walk," Greg tried to say as calmly as possible.

"No," Draco said defiantly. "What the hell is going on?"

Greg took a breath. He put his shoulder around his old friend, leading him to the main waiting area. Draco knew he had no other choice but to follow. In the waiting room, Greg watched Draco pace for several minutes as he took a seat on one of the benches.

"The alarms went off about five minutes ago. Ginny, Madame Pomfrey, and I were in the break room when we heard them. Hermione went into cardiac arrest."

"Is she going to be alright?" Draco asked, looking straight into his old friend's face. Draco gulped, knowing the answer.

Greg had to look away for a moment. "Hermione has always been strong, Draco. But I have to tell you that in this line of work, and Hermione would probably agree with me, we see thugs twice her size die of lesser injuries," Greg said, skirting the question.

Draco nodded. He took a seat next to Greg. Greg pulled Draco in for an uncharacteristic hug. Greg allowed Draco to cry into his shoulder.

o-o-o

19 May, Saturday, 2345 BST

Draco leaned his head against the wall as he shut his eyes, resting them. It had been almost twenty minutes since the alarms went off and the two mediwitches ushered the two wizards from the room. Greg looked at his Muggle wristwatch, as it was his turn to pace. He was slightly nervous about the outcome of the night's events.

Greg saw the pair first. He nudged Draco to attention as the two medical personnel reached the two former Slytherins. Draco took in a breath when he saw the head of the hospital wing. He watched her blow out a breath. Draco took a gulp.

"She's stable, for now," Madame Pomfrey said as she took a seat next to Draco. There was a long pause. She looked straight into his eyes. Draco grimaced, knowing he was in for some grave news. "Draco, listen. Her vitals have been on a steady decline for the past couple of weeks."

"You're suggesting I take her off of life support," he said softly.

"Draco, you love Hermione and she loves you," Ginny began. "Your story is an epic one; fraught with hatred that evolved into a great love.

"But sometimes," the younger witch said as she squeezed Draco's hand. "Sometimes if you really love someone, you have to let her go."

Draco whimpered. A tear rolled down his cheek.

"I've sent Patronuses to Harry, Pansy, the Weasleys, Dr. Masterson and your parents," Madame Pomfrey said standing up as the new arrivals made their way into the waiting room.

Draco stood up as he saw his parents walking towards them. Mr. Malfoy carried Drew in his arms. Draco couldn't help but cry as Mrs. Malfoy brought him into her arms for a comforting embrace.

o-o-o

19 May, Saturday, 2358 BST

Draco had given his okay only three minutes earlier. Madame Pomfrey's hand noticeably shook as she waved her wand hand. The beeping of the instruments monitoring Hermione's heart rate and blood pressure shut off; so too did the respirator.

The packed room waited as if the final act would come quickly to an abrupt end. They watched as her chest still rose and fell. Draco almost smiled to himself. 'Granger was defiant as ever,' he thought to himself as he sat next to her bedside in the same chair he had occupied since March. Drew crawled into his lap, leaning her head against his chest.

o-o-o

20 May, Sunday, 0345 BST

It had been over four hours since the alarms signaled the medical episode. Since then, the room slowly emptied. Dr. Masterson left after about an hour, having to return to the E.R. night shift; saying, quite possibly her last goodbye to a dear friend and one of the most gifted doctors she had had under her wing. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had left a half an hour later, but not before saying goodbye to someone they had considered like a second daughter.

Both Harry and Pansy left fifteen minutes to the 3 o'clock hour having to man the Ministry Law Enforcement Offices. It was difficult for Harry to leave. He and Hermione were the remaining "members" that their generation dubbed the "Golden Trio" and she was his closest and oldest friend. Pansy had to lead him out.

At 3:30, Mr. Malfoy couldn't bear it anymore, which would have been a ridiculous notion a few years ago. Draco hugged his father. Mrs. Malfoy kissed her granddaughter on the top of her head before the older Malfoys exited. Drew opted to stay with her father.

o-o-o

20 May, Sunday, 0350 BST

Draco's eyelids fluttered as he tried to stay awake. He wanted to stay lucid when everything would come to a head. It had been a long evening already. His eyes betrayed him. 'Just for a moment,' he thought to himself, adjusting Drew on his lap as he shut his eyes.

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