Hermione looked up to see Neville waving to her from the staircase. "What is it Neville?"

"Draco's was just brought to hospital. Pomfrey is working on him now. He's in bad shape Mione. Burns, broken bones and I don't know what else."

Hermione ran to the hospital wing. The doors were wide open and a crowd had gathered. She pushed in to find Lucius, Snape and McGonagall at his bedside. He was bandaged on his head, across his face and down his right arm, which was in a sling. "Draco."

McGonagall looked up to see her tragic face and stopped her in the aisle, putting comforting hands around her shoulders. "Hermione dear, there's nothing more to be done."

"How?" Hermione was trying to stay calm, but quickly losing the fight.

"It was Bellatrix. Ginny Weasley was protecting her mother and a few others. Draco jumped in front of them. Bellatrix was angry that he had interfered. He held her off until it became too much. She hit him with a burning curse and worse. Mr. Malfoy was looking for Draco and saw it happen. He managed to kill her. Lucius brought him here as quickly as he could. Ginny just left to be with her mother at home. Draco saved them Hermione. You should be proud of him."

"I am proud of him. More than he knows. He protected me all this time professor. Risked everything to keep me safe." Hermione left her to get a closer look. She pushed a willing Snape aside to be close to him. "Draco love, it's Hermione. Can you hear me?"

"He can't hear anything Ms. Granger, Madam Pomfrey gave him a sedative. He needs rest." Mr. Malfoy sat in the chair on the other side. Holding his boy's hand gently. "As soon as he can be moved, I'll take him back to the manor. You are welcome to accompany us Ms. Granger."

Hermione looked up at the now stern man with surprise. "Thank you sir." She paused assessing the situation. "You knew didn't you?"

Lucius grinned slightly. "That you were in the manor the whole time? Young lady I am the Lord of Malfoy Manor. Nothing goes on there that I do not know about. For instance, I know he's very much in love with you and I suspect you with him."

Hermione's eyes were wide with fear. Would he separate them?

Lucius Malfoy saw her concern and a deep sigh left his lips. "I nearly lost him today. I have caused him and his mother much pain and grief. I will not stand in the way of his happiness now."

The two of them waited long into the night after the others had left. Each of them hoping that the dawn would bring good news. Snape retired to the first night of freedom he had known since he was a teenager. McGonagall had a school full of students, staff and Order members to mother over.

Poppy had closed the hospital doors to allow everyone there to rest quietly. The murmurs of family as they sat near their loved one, the only sounds. That included Lucius Malfoy who whispered, 'My son', over and over.

The casualties were not as bad as Hermione feared, thank Merlin. She could hear the injured tell stories of the surprised looks on the faces of death eaters, as Snape and Lucius Malfoy neutralize them, saving many inexperienced students. Hermione laid her head on Draco's mattress. She could feel his presence and his scent lulled her to sleep.

oopOqoo

Draco opened his eyes, well… eye, to see Hermione's head laid upon his mattress. It filled him with joy to see her alive and in one piece. The last thing he remembered, someone said Hermione had been captured by Voldemort. He was rushing to her when he saw Bellatrix. Molly Weasley had been hexed and was on the floor. Ginny was trying to protect her mother and two others. Bella cackled her intention to kill them all slowly, just to see the terror on their faces.

Draco couldn't leave them to the evil insane witch, and he struck first. Bella had earned her reputation as a wicked duelist and quickly turned to deflect his curse. While his own significant skills were able to protect him at first, he had never known such fury and his defeat was certain. Draco dodged a jet of orange light but remembered nothing more after that. He was somehow still alive, but the bandages and pain testified to serious injuries.

"Hermione." His dry throat sounded more like a frog than his own, so he tried again with some effort. "Hermione."

Her head popped up so fast it startled him, but the relief on her face was worth it. "Draco! Draco I love you. I don't know why it took me so long to say it. I was afraid you would never hear it. How do you feel?"

Draco's slight smile was a delight to behold. "I love you too Princess. You remember the time that hippogryph clipped me?"

Hermione smiled as tears filled her eyes. "Yes Draco, I remember. You were being your usual arrogant self and got the scratch you deserved. As I recall you milked it for all it was worth."

He grinned and winced. "Yea, I was trying to get your attention and maybe a little sympathy. Didn't work did it?" She shook her head amused. "How about now?"

"Oh Draco!" Hermione gently covered his face, (outside the bandages), with kisses and tears. "You have my attention all right. I'm going to take care of you until you can be a prat again. How does that sound?"

He tried to sit up but was in a restraining field. "Hey! Get me out of this."

"Not just yet Mr. Malfoy." Poppy Pomfrey bustled over to his side. She ran a diagnostic scan, all the while clucking her tongue. "Your internal injuries have healed sufficiently and the broken bones. The burn is still very serious. If I lift the restraint will you stay in bed?"

"Come on let me go."

"You must listen to her son." Lucius Malfoy spoke softly but with authority. "We nearly lost you last night."

Draco was shocked at his father's presence. The last words they'd had before he'd left for Hogwarts were not kind ones. "Father? What are you doing here? I'd have thought the Aurors would have trundled you and Severus off to Azkaban together."

Lucius was hurt by his son's comment, even if it was justified. "I have been given a short reprieve while you were so badly injured. Molly and Arthur Weasley spoke up for me as well as a few others here. They have taken my wand and I'm to endure house arrest at the manor until my trial. Severus is in much the same circumstance here in the castle."

Hermione couldn't let the comment go by without saying something. "Draco, your father saved your life, and the lives of many last night. He convinced Snape to come out of the tower and help defend the students with him. Bellatrix is dead. He was tortured by Voldemort because of me Draco. He deserves at least a little forgiveness."

Draco was silent contemplating the behavior to see the hidden purpose in it. His father never did anything without gaining an advantage.

Lucius turned to the mediwitch. "Is he well enough to take home? I have a physician on call."

"Yes. As long as he stays quietly in bed. You have second and third degree burns young Malfoy. The paste I applied will need to be changed every day. You must take your potions and move as little as possible for the next week if you want to avoid infection and scarring."

"Don't worry Madam Pomfrey." Hermione's glare never left Draco. "He will rest just as you've ordered."

"Good. With you in charge I'm sure things will work out fine. I'll give you some pain potions, the burn paste and a sleeping draught to take with you. I'll be by in a few days to see how he's doing."

"Thank you Madam Pomfrey. I shall not forget your care of my son. May we use your floo?"