Northern Star (Hiatus)

Chapter Twelve

I just quickly want to thank my dear friend MarineWife8, for all her help and support.
Thank You T ♡
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Hermione had left work and gone out for a drink with Harry who was still worried and overly protective of her. He knew Ronald couldn't hurt her, but he was worried about her mental state still.
By the time she got home, it was late and all she wanted was to curl up with a book and relax. She put some leftovers in the microwave to heat and went to run a warm bath.

When the food was heated, she went and got it. Taking it with her, she sat it aside and slipped into the bubble covered water. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had soft music playing. The water helped her relax and she ate while letting her mind wander. She had finished everything Draco had given her until he brought her a new case this afternoon that she knew he had cause to prosecute the other person.
Her mind ran though what she'd been able to find and how she would handle it. When she finished her food, she realized the water was cold and sighed. She got up to get out of the bath and she dried herself before putting her robe on and taking her dishes to the kitchen.

Hermione yelped and jumped when she saw someone standing in her living room as she was passing. Quickly turning on a light, so as not to cast magic in front of a muggle, she sighed when she saw Draco.
"Draco, what are you doing here?" Her wards had been altered to keep Ron out, but she hadn't seen a reason to ban anyone else.

Draco was completely baffled. When he heard a yelp he spun to face the source of the noise and raised an eyebrow seeing Granger in a bathrobe "eh..." he said looking around again "I presume since you're here I have somehow apparated to your home instead of mine"

Hermione was so stunned, she was temporarily frozen in place. When he spoke, she nodded. She had no idea he even knew where she lived, but she knew her address was on her documents at work, so it wasn't that weird.

He suddenly regretted moving so much as he held the arm if the sofa and closed his eyes trying to stop his head spinning. "Can I get some water Granger?" He asked as he managed to stop swaying and sat down trying to clear his head.

Seeing him unsteady on his feet, she became worried.
"Of course." She rushed into the kitchen, dumping her dishes into the sink and filled a glass quickly.

Draco could hear Hermione moving around the kitchen while he sat mummbling to himself "potion must have mixed me up but how did I apparate somewhere I've never been or even seen before?"

She then rushed back to him and held out the glass. "Are you okay? What are you even doing here Draco? Have you been drinking?" He seemed like he might be drunk, but his speech wasn't slurred or anything, so maybe he just wasn't feeling well.

He took the glass careful not to let their fingers touch, he wasnt sure how the potion would react and wasnt ready to find out.
He gulped back half the glass and sighed as he answered "Not sure. Dono how I got here I was going home." He rubbed his jaw with one hand the other holding the glass. "No no, Blaise and I are testing a new potion and it seems to have me a little mixed up" she looked around her living room and shook his head "How it brought me somewhere I have never been though is baffling" he then looked at Hermione, taking in her flawless complexion and noticing her eyes were like caramel with tiny flecks of chocolate.

Hermione was confused and his explanation didn't help much. What new potion? Why had it brought him here? Why was she not sorry that he was here? That last question really baffled her.
"One thing I've learned is that our magic, potions included may not always make sense but they are rarely wrong." She shrugged.

Draco was looking into the glass of water barely registering her presence until he realised what she said. Our magic is rarely wrong. He looked up at her, silver meeting caramel and his heart leapt into his throat.

"Maybe I'm supposed to help you figure out what is wrong with this potion or help make it better?" She didn't even know what kind of potion it was but something told her not to ask, so she didn't.

Shaking his head he sat back "No. No I uh.... thanks but... I um...." he was flustered. Immediately and completely flustered. What was happening? Hermione? Was his true love Hermione? Looking around he muttered "Sorry I should go I didnt mean to disturb your evening"

Hermione was watching him with eyes full of concern. This was not the Draco Malfoy she knew. Whatever this potion was, it must have really rattled him. That thought was unsettling. "It's fine. I wasn't doing anything anyway."

Draco stood and looked around seeing the fireplace he pointed "connected to the floo network I presume?"
Hermione looked at where he was pointing and nodded. "Yes, but Draco are you sure you're alright? Maybe you shouldn't be alone just yet." She was worried if he was, something might happen. After all, he didn't look okay. She'd begun to think of him as a friend and friends helped each other and looked out for their well-being. That's what she told herself anyway.

Draco saw her concern and if his heart had been ice it was certainly melting. "I...I um... well" he shook his head and moved to the fireplace looking into it but not getting the floo powder yet. "I um.... the potion is eh..." he tapped the fireplace and half chuckled "Nevermind. Its alright I promise" he turned and gave her his signature smirk before stepping into the fireplace and tossing the floo powder "13 Cherryblossom Court"

If not for the seriousness of the situation she found herself in, Hermione would've laughed. Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince stuttering? That was something she doubted anyone would believe if she told them. Not that she would. "Alright. If you're sure. I'll see you in the morning, right?" She wanted to know so if he wasn't in the office, she either knew not to worry or she'd find him to be sure he was safe.

Draco had simply nodded before the green flames enveloped him. When he was gone, she put the glass in the sink and sighed as she walked toward her bedroom. She hoped he really was okay.