He knew he should have stayed behind her. He should have ignored her persistence and told her to shut her pretty mouth because he was staying behind her. She would have given him the classic ‘I-hate-you’ gaze that she always gives him and he would have given her the smirk he always gives her. Either way, he would have won and he would have been behind her. But he didn’t argue.
He also should have kept his eyes peeled to all around them. Instead, he had looked forward as they proceeded down the dark hallway. If he had turned, he would have seen them coming. He would have conjured a spell that would have stopped them. Instead, he was looking forward and ignoring everything else.
Draco knew both of these things. He knew he should have kept her in front because his reflexes are half a second quicker than hers. He should have kept his eyes peeled around them because there would have been anything that could come at them, even if he doubted it. There was always something to watch out for. And now..
“Auror Malfoy?”
His head snapped up and he immediately stood. His fingers stopped twirling his wand. It was a nervous habit that she always got on him for.
“Yes?”
“Come with me,” is all she said. He followed her down the hallway, the clicking of her heels on the tile floor only making him more nervous. There were about a million questions he wanted to ask her.
They stopped in front of a door.
“You may go in. Please send a fire signal if you need aid." He nodded and stared at the door.
Auror Hermione Granger, it read on the side of the door. His stomach clenched.
Slowly, he opened the door. The first sound he heard was the beeping of the monitor. The first thing he saw was her.
Her hair was not as tame as it usually was. Her face was two shades lighter than it usually is and her lips were a bit chapped and light pink.
Draco stepped forward closer to the bed. The monitor continues beeping. She looked so peaceful, a deep contrast to the constant looks of disgust that she gave him on the daily. He didn’t care. They were partners after all. It was only natural that he would annoy her. It definitely didn’t make him feel any less of the way he did towards her. Draco’s stomach clenched again.
“Merlin,” he said as he sank to the chair next to her bed. He stared at her hand, two tubes taped to the back of it. He took it. It was so small compared to his but that didn’t matter.
“I’m so sorry Hermione,” he whispered. He should have been behind her, he should have noticed the men rushing towards her. He should have shouted when he saw them coming towards her. Instead, he just stood and watched as their wand outstretched towards her, a bright blue light coming out on the other end. Then he watched almost in slow motion as she fell to the ground.
Draco doesn’t even remember what happened after that. He had shouted something, the attacker had gone down, and then he was holding her in his arms. Potter suddenly appeared, his eyes frantically looking around before landing on the pair of them on the ground. Draco was shouting for help and Potter had to peel him away as they rushed Hermione out of there. His hands hadn’t stopped shaking until they told him that she was moved out of surgery.
“I never should have let us go in there. I never should have listened to you when we said we could do it. We both knew how dangerous it was,’ he continues. The monitor only keeps its steady pace.
“I should have bloody listened to Potter, as much as I hate to admit that,” He chuckles before frowning again. She would have looked at him like he was crazy. Then she would have smiled that brilliant smile and would want him to repeat it again. He wouldn’t have given her the satisfaction.
“Gods, I’m so sorry,” he repeats again, bringing her hand up to his forehead. He closed his eyes and wished. Wished on whatever higher being existed. She had explained to him how religion worked in the Muggle world but he couldn’t remember any of what she said now.
Bring her back to me. Please.
“I don’t want my utter stupidity to be the reason I never told you..” he whispers against her hand. The monitor beep quickens. Draco’s heart stops.
She stirs, her brow furrowing. “Hm?” her voice is barely audible. The monitor quickens again.
“Hermione?” Draco squeezes her hand in confirmation. Her brow furrows and her eyes slowly open. They slowly look around before landing on his figure, jaw open and eyes wide.
“Tell me what?” she murmurs, still half-unconscious. Draco lets out a laugh of disbelief. He kisses her hand and the corner of her mouth upturns. He then presses the fire aid button above her bed.
“I am so sorry,” He repeats.
She gives him a look. “You said that already.”
“Yes, right,” His speech quickens. There’s a pause as he helps her sit up and get situated. The medi-witches come in, checking her vials and asking her all types of questions. Draco stands off to the side. His eyes don’t leave her.
Finally, the room starts to empty again. He goes to the door when she tells him to stay. And so he does. He lets her drink the potions that are given to her. He lets her get situated, too afraid to say anything.
“Did you catch him?” She finally asks. Of course that’s what she wants to know. Always prioritizing.
“Yes,” Draco tells her. He doesn’t want to tell her the complete truth.
“Who caught him?”
“I did.”
“And?” she becomes more attentive. “Who was he working for? Anything to back up our further leads?”
“Granger,” he starts.
“What?” She asks, almost sounding offended.
“You almost died. This should be the last thing on your mind!”
“Oh please,'' she adjusts her covers. “You and I both know this case has been bothering us for months.”
“Yes, and that’s the exact reason why you should be focusing on getting back to pristine health right now!” He can’t help but stand up when saying this, too anxious to sit down. Her brows come together.
“Malfoy…”
“You nearly died, Hermione! And it’s my fault” He cuts her off. He never calls her by her given name. Even when they’re not working. He’s kept himself to just ‘Granger’. Always that. He has to create some barrier between them. Otherwise, she’d know.
He turns around, dragging a hand through his hair. He can’t even bear to look at her. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“You were right. We never should have gone in there,” he whirls around in surprise, his mouth opening. Hermione continues, not noticing his expression.
“You and I were both caught in our egos to let the other down. It’s not just one of us-”
“But I-” she holds up a hand.
“I swear to Merlin Malfoy, if you don’t let me finish I am going to hex you so hard you’re going to end up in one of these beds too.”
His mouth shut and his cheeks began to feel hot. If only she knew what her bossing around did to-
“But-”
“Draco.”
His gray eyes widened. It was never Draco, always Malfoy, or ‘you twat’. The crease between her eyebrows was gone and she was looking down at her lap.
“We have been friends long enough for me to know that you’ve blamed yourself for too much. When the war ended you blamed yourself for Fred and Remus’s death and..'' she takes a pause.
“I can’t see you blaming yourself for this. I’m okay.”
Draco objects, gesturing at her current position. “But you’re in a bloody hospital bed!”
“And I’m breathing, aren’t I?” Her eyes are no longer downcast but narrowing slightly. Draco knows they could keep going back and forth. He runs another hand through his hair and huffs. This bloody woman.
“Fine, fine,” he sits back down heavily, slouching.
“Now,” Hermione smooths out the blanket covering her lap. “What did you want to tell me?” her eyes lock with his.
Draco pales. How does she still remember that?
“Oh, well,” he stutters, trying to find an excuse. I wanted to tell you that you left your coat in my office, I wanted to tell you that I love you. I wanted to tell you that you make me so happy that I want to kiss you. No, he can’t say that. Merlin, she’s looking at him with a confused expression. Oh just say it for God's sake! Don’t be a coward anymore! He takes a deep breath and looks at the floor.
“Granger, what I wanted to tell you was...” he pauses again. His hands are beginning to sweat and suddenly his collar feels like it's suffocating him. Why is this so hard? Just say it. You’re an Auror. You have had to tell people difficult things. Why can’t he just say this?
“Draco?” her voice interrupts his thoughts. He slowly picks his head up to look at her. Merlin, she looks so beautiful.
She smiles gently. “I love you too.”
His heart rate picks up so fast he thinks he might need to be brought back to life. She loves him back? She does? He must be dreaming, he really must be. Hermione Granger loves him back. He can’t help but smile widely. She starts to smile more, her perfect teeth showing through.
“Do you mind if I kiss you?”
“I would be annoyed if you didn’t. I may be in a hospital bed but that doesn’t mean I’m fragile,” she quirks an eyebrow at him.
Moving forward, he places his hands on her face and brings her closer. Gently, he presses his lips against hers. She kisses him right back, her hands finding his robes. He moves his lips against hers, his thumb moving back and forth across her cheek. He feels as if electricity is coursing through his body. He’s kissing her finally.
“It’s about damn time,” A voice says behind them. They break apart and Draco turns his head as Potter comes into the room. Draco sighs and drops his hands from her face. Impeccable timing.
“Careful Malfoy. I’m dropping off the report for you to fill out,” He sets the manilla folder on the side table. Hermione sends him a grateful smile.
“I’m glad you two have finally figured it out. I nearly had to immobilize him because he refused to let you go,” Harry mentions. Draco feels his cheeks grow hot. He sends a glare Potter’s way.
“I think he even slapped my hand away when I tried to touch you,” He continues. Draco’s ears grow hot. How dare he-
Hermione chuckles. “I would leave now, Harry. Draco might put you in a hospital bed of your own.”
Draco narrows his eyes which only makes Harry start to laugh. He plants a kiss on the top of Hermione’s head, before erupting in laughter again. The laughter grows as he shuts the door, leaving them alone.
“Stupid chosen one,” Draco mutters. Hermione giggles. Draco whirls to face her.
“Find it funny, Granger?” he snaps. It only makes her laugh harder.
“Territorial much?” she says between giggles.
“You were in critical condition!” He argues. She holds her stomach, her laughter increasing in volume.
“You’re my partner!” he shouts. Her laughter comes to a stop.
“Is that your way of asking me out? I thought purebloods were smoother than that?” she wipes a tear from her cheek, her smile still very much present. Draco chuckles and shakes his head.
“No, Granger. I am not asking you out on a date in a hospital room. When I ask you out, I will do it properly and romantically.”
He watches as her cheeks grow a little pink.
“What will you do until I’m out of here?” she poses.
Draco smirks. “Annoy you like I always do, Auror Granger.” He comes closer. Her cheeks grow a darker shade of pink.
“Good, Auror Malfoy. I expect nothing less,” she yanks him forward, connecting their lips again.