Draco made his way down the isles in the critical ward. Nurses smiled as he passed and wished them a good morning. When he neared his destination, a nurse greeted him. "Draco, you're early today."

"Yeah, I wasn't able to stop by yesterday, so I wanted to make sure I got here early to see if he needed anything. How has he been?" he asked as he wheeled up to the bed.

"Theo's been a bit fussy," the young woman admitted. "I'm glad you're here. I've been having trouble getting his potion's down."

Draco moved to the seat next the bed and was handed a vial. "Hey, Theo. Sorry I wasn't able to see you yesterday. You'll never guess why. Let's get these potion's down, and I'll tell you the story." Theo looked for all the world to only be sleeping. Draco gently lifted his head and one by one, fed the man his potions without issue.

The nurse smiled. "He always knows when you're here," she said, then motioned to the window next to the bed. "He likes the new location you arranged, always so peaceful when the window is open."

"He loves being outside. I knew he would like that better than being in the center of the ward," he replied as he settled the man's head back down on the pillows.

"Ok, I'll leave you two to chat. He has physical therapy in an hour," she advised him.

"Who does he have today, Maggy," the young man asked.

"Justin," she answered shortly.

Draco smirked at her. "So, I take it you'll be here to assist when he gets here?"

The woman blushed. "Hush, or I won't warn you when Healer Jessup is here," she warned.

"She's still mad at me?" he asked, surprised.

"Still? Draco, you snuck in after hours last week. Of course, she's still mad. You had better avoid her for at least another fortnight," she said.

"I just missed him, Maggy. I couldn't help it," he responded giving her puppy dog eyes.

The nurse sighed then asked, "At least did you bring me….?"

"Raul's truffle risotto," the wizard interrupted. "Like I could forget. I wouldn't dream of depriving you," he said dramatically as he pulled a container from his ever-present basket. Handing her a few more packages, he continued. "And here is roast chicken with carrots and a trifle. It's a bit too much for one person, I'm afraid, so you might need to invite someone to help you eat it."

Maggy's eyes went wide, "You didn't!" she exclaimed. "You already knew Justin would be here today," she accused.

Draco chuckled, "I might have asked around. You're a fine woman, Maggy, Justin would be mad not to give you a chance."

The nurse eagerly took the packages and kissed the young man on the cheek. "Thank you," she said before she whisked away to her other duties.

Draco focused his attention back to the man on the bed. He smoothed Theo's hair from his face and took one of his hands.

"Morning, Love, sorry again for not visiting yesterday. You'll never guess who I spent the day with. Granger, of all people," he laughed. "I told you that she was coming here. She looks to be in fairly good shape all things considered. She was in that spot by the lake, I told you about. The one perfect for picnics. Becky must have shown her where it was. Anyway, we spent the whole day together. It was….strange, but good. She's lonely and I volunteer to help out with meals and such. It's just like you told me. She doesn't eat enough when she's stressed."

"The two of us are neighbors now. I told you that, right? I can't remember, and you never correct me," he said with a sad smile as he gave the man's hand an affectionate squeeze. He waited a moment to see if his gesture would be returned, but nothing happened. Saddened, but not surprised, he continued. "I told her I would show her around the building when she's ready to venture from her rooms again. I'm, I'm trying to do right by her, Theo. I know I have a lot to make up for, but I'm trying love, I'm trying," his words were cut off when he felt Theo's hand tighten in his.

He was elated for the response, but couldn't help the old flare of jealousy that sprang up along with it. Was the gesture for him or for her. Old memories intruded.

"I love you, Draco, you. I'm here with you, and that's where I want to be and anything I might think about Granger is irrelevant," Theo reasoned.

"And how about what you feel for her?" Draco shot back.

"I love you, Draco." He responded, both of them knowing he hadn't actually answer the question.

Draco shook off his thoughts as irrelevant, and focused back on the man before him. "I'm glad you approve, Love," he said gently. "Now we need to discuss Becky's birthday party."

Hermione sat sideways on the couch in Draco's study, her legs stretched out over the cushions. The wizard was reading the paper as she leafed through brochures. "Is getting an outside chair actually worth it?" she asked.

"If you want to go outside with any frequency you do," he responded absently.

"The one I have is doing fine," she said defiantly.

"That chair," he asked motioning to the one nearest her.

"Yes, why?"

"Granger, you've had that one for two weeks and it looks ten years old. The tread is worn thin, the wheels have a wobble, and I know it's been going out on you between charges," he commented.

"So? I'm sure that happens to all of them," she said crossing her arms.

The man sighed, "Not really. Mine doesn't. Indoor chairs are meant for more delicate floors. It's lighter so it doesn't damage them and is designed to maneuvered in tighter spaces. Outside chairs, on the other hand, are sturdier with thicker tread for harder terrain," he explained. "Plus, switching between the two means longer intervals without a full recharge. That cabinet where they are stored is shielded from draining and contains ambient magic, that also helps keep it charged."

"No one told me that," she said hotly.

Draco lifted a brow at her. "Aren't you the one sending everyone away," he countered.

The witch scowled then begrudgingly said, "Fair point."

The wizard laughed. "You don't have to fight everything here, Granger. No one is trying to hurt you or trick you. Just pick a bloody chair so we can go further than our own gardens," he responded. "And get a new indoor chair before yours ruins my new rugs," he added before turning his attention back to the paper.

*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*

Theo didn't know where he was, but he knew that he was or at least he didn't think he was past tense. It didn't quite feel like life, but it definitely didn't feel like death. Sometimes he dreamt, sometimes he was nothing and sometimes he was as close to awake as he ever got.

He couldn't exactly move or talk or hear, but he did feel his surroundings. It was at these times he could almost interact with the outside world, but he never really knew what form that interaction took. He knew when others were near and he always, always knew when Draco was there. Draco was his thread to the world, and he lived for the moments his love was near. That was when he felt the closest to fully waking, to living, and he wanted to wake, so very badly. but just couldn't quite push past that last barrier.

"You have no idea how happy I am that you've decided to meet with me," Healer Werner said as she ushered Hermione into her office.

"Well, you have been rather persistent," she replied.

"I thought we got off to a fairly poor start. Then after hearing you wouldn't see anyone, I was concerned that we'd given you a bad impression of this facility and the work we do here," she explained.

"I appreciate your concern, but as you can see, I am perfectly fine," Hermione replied evenly.

"So, we did get off on the wrong foot then," the healer sighed. "I'd like you to know that I reported those 'oversights' to St Mungo's. Whether anything actually happens is another topic all together. I'm sorry that your introduction to us was so marred by those cowardly bigots."

Hermione's eyebrows shot up at the bold statement. "Pardon?" she asked.

Werner laughed. "Now, Miss Granger, why mince words? St Mungo's is full of them. People who refused to fight or to tend to those that did regardless of side. The faculty is getting old and stagnant. Many healers are looking for new ways to help patients. Something that Mungo's just doesn't support. I will confess to snatching quite a few of them during and after the war," she said.

The younger woman narrowed her eyes. "During the war, they were very much needed where they were," she responded. "Mungo's isn't perfect, but it was vital after the final battle. We could have used dozens more healers that day. Where were you during the war? Where were you during the final battle."

"I was here, Miss Granger," the older woman calmly replied. "I managed to convince the Death Eaters that my facility was useless. I told them that while I don't give a fig about the residents, I am paid handsomely for their care and wished to maintain my revenue stream. I offered them a share, and they let us be. It, of course, helped that many of their brethren's relations resided within."

"You funded them so you could sit here and keep making money," Hermione spat at the woman.

Werner smiled indulgently. "Well, that's what they thought. I did give them a modest sum in exchange for the safety of the residents and staff of this facility and that of the nearby village which we annexed. That is thousands of people, magic and muggle. That allowed us vast freedom on our grounds. I was never an official member of the Order of the Phoenix," she confessed. "A bit too much of a cult of personality for my taste."

Hermione couldn't disagree there. It had definitely been Dumbledor's show, she thought before turning her attention back to the healer.

"I worked closely with them though. We transferred the wounded here, when we were able. Floo connections were cut off to the outside world and nonapperition wards were placed around us. We treated all that managed to make it here. Strangely, it was the muggles that were the easiest to hide. Deatheaters didn't really pay them much mind. All they had to do is get to the village and they were safe. Then later we would have them enter the facility for more secure accommodations. We were there at the last battle, both as fighters or medics. We staffed the hospitals in the few days afterward when so many of Mungo's staff were too afraid to come in."

"For that last part, I do have to apologize for. We certainly didn't ingratiate ourselves with the establishment in those days. I'm afraid that caused a lot of animosity which it seems you were a recipient of. That and you are such a good example of what they could never be."

"And what is that," the other witch asked, surprised by the revelations.

"Brave," Werner responded firmly, then added with a smile. "I was so happy when Mr. Weasley contacted me about your placement."

"I wasn't aware Arthur contacted you," Hermione replied.

"He didn't. William Weasley did."

"Bill?"

"Yes, he was my contact during the war. We'd met in the past. Gringotts has used us for several years now to treat their employees. Severe magical depletion is unfortunately a common risk with curse breakers," she explained.

"He's been keeping me apprised on your case after my offer to consult was officially declined by Mungo's," she continued. Hermione bristled at the knowledge that the hospital had turned down a consulted, it made her wonder just how substandard her care there had been. "I know it is an invasion of privacy, but Mr. Weasley was so concerned. He made a habit of nicking your files and sending me copies. A few of my healers had been involved in your case in those early days, but were soon reassigned. As I said before, there is a lot of animosity between us."

"Why didn't anyone tell me about this?" the younger witch asked angerly. "Bill at the very least could have told me that there were more options. Someone should have!"

"You are very right, Miss Granger, someone should have," Werner agreed. "And had things been different, you would have been."

"Different, how?" The witch asked suspiciously.

"For one, my staff and I were overwhelmed with work and wounded. We had more patients than beds. We took overflow from other facilities, primarily Mungo's, but we also served as the primary destination for muggle patients. The death eaters apparently had a grand time in the days before the final battle. We had people coming in from all over the country. I had my hands full, and you were stable and in fair condition. Bill had a lot to deal with himself, if you remember. He lost his brother, and very nearly a girl he considered a sister. He didn't want to get your hopes up, and he didn't trust Mungo's or the Ministry. He felt it better to keep quiet and try to get you here as soon as possible."

Hermione felt a bit of remorse for her earlier thoughts about Bill. He was her brother in all but blood as was the rest of the Weasley family and of course Harry. She understood now that Mungo's final "oversights" were just parting shots over their anger over her move to Fernwood. This explains a lot, she thought. There was still a nagging question. "That still doesn't explain why you were so concerned about me. Because this seems like a bit more than doing a favor for a friend," she replied.

The healer sat straighter and folded her hands on her desk. "First, this is something I would do for a friend and have," she started. "Second, this is also something I would do for any patient in your condition that I was aware of and had any ability to help. Don't underestimate my commitment to my work, Miss Granger. Third, I think you would be a good asset should you choose to work with us."

"Work with you how?" Hermione asked, annoyed at her curiosity.

"There's a variety of areas, Miss Granger. We do design and development both for medical and traditional markets. We research new techniques and medicines for our patients. We work on improving the lives of the residents and our staff. I would like to venture more into activism in the near future. Then we can work on improving the lives of people outside our walls. There are so many roadblocks up to block progress." The older woman leaned in, and stated, "I would like to tear them down, and was under the impression that you were the type of witch that disliked roadblocks as well. What do you say, Miss Granger? Shall we tear them down together?"

Hermione was overwhelmed with just how much she'd learned in this meeting, but one thing was for sure, she had a lot to think about.

*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*T*

"So, Granger finally talked to Old Lizzy and has been a bit out of sort since," Draco said to Theo. He held the slumbering man's hand as he recounted his day. "I meant to tell you that a few days ago, but I've been a bit busy trying to plan Becky's birthday party. She's never had one before. Well, I guess she's had a couple, but nothing grand. Certainly not a Malfoy event," he said haughtily before leaning down and kissing the man's nose. "Hermione, er, Granger, has been a big help. Giving me that female perspective. Anyway, about her meeting with Old Lizzy. I guess Lizzy tried to recruit her into the righteous cause. The daft bint forgot that she may have lost her magic but not her wits."

Theo's hand twitched, and Draco laughed. "I can call her a daft bint if I want. I know her better than you now. And you aren't allowed to get mad, because you could wake up anytime and be her friend," he jested with a gentle smile. "I'm going to tell her about you. I thought you might like her to visit. You could get to know each other a little better," he said sadly.

"Draco!" an urgent whisper came from behind him. He turned to see Nurse Maggie. "Jessup is coming. You have to go now!"

He quickly kissed Theo and turned to the nurse. She turned off the motorized function of his chair and swiftly wheeled him through the doors at the back of the ward. She slowed once they were alone. "I can't believe you were stupid enough to come here today. You were found in bed with him last night.

"We weren't doing anything," he shot back as she moved him through the hospital. "I was just lying next to him. I thought it would help."

"Did it," Maggy responded without slowing.

"No," he answered sadly.

The woman sighed. "I know you want to be with him, I do, but you have got to stop doing this. Do you want to be banned?" she asked, exasperated.

"No! Of course not," he responded hotly.

"Then stay away. A week minimum," Draco opened his mouth, but Maggy stopped him. "A week, at least," she repeated. "She's getting sick of you flaunting the rules and quite frankly…" The nurse sighed again. "We're all tired of it too. We are risking our jobs covering for you, and you keep pushing for more. Please, do better," she pleaded.

Draco hung his head. Fuck, he'd never even considered how his antics affected others. Double fuck! He was a bit old to be having this revelation, he realized.

"I'm sorry, Maggie. I…I'll do better," he promised.

"Thank you," she responded, hoping he was sincere. She hadn't worked so hard to lose it due to a lovesick boy. "Now take the freight elevator down, and I'd better not see you for another week."

Draco's heart constricted at the thought of leaving Theo alone for so long. He'd definitely need Hermione's help until he could return. He wouldn't leave Theo, couldn't leave Theo by himself. Never again.