bitten ; dramione

three - the case

As much as Draco was trying to stay away from Hermione, she kept around. Since more victims of Greyback were placed under her care, it caused her to be around the case more and more. Her name was constantly in the Daily Prophet, and it was stressing him out. If Greyback was reading these, then he would catch on that she was the one healing all of them. It could put her in some serious danger, and it was starting to stress him out. When he voiced this to Harry, Harry's eyebrows raised. "Hermione remembers how to fight for herself, Draco." Harry responded.

"It's dangerous, and I don't like it." Draco sighed, rubbing his face. Harry smirked to himself, shaking his head. "Draco, why don't you just tell her?" Harry asked, making the blonde look up at him. "I don't know what you mean." Draco muttered, looking down and twisting his Malfoy ring around his finger. Harry's lips thinned into a line, and he nodded slowly. If Draco did not want to admit it to them, that's fine. But getting off his chest in some way would probably help quite a bit. "She thinks you're cool. Just ask her out, once." Harry suggested.
"Yeah. Let's think about this, Harry. One, she is a muggle born. I don't have an issue with it, but my mother is not a completely changed person. She is still a blood supremacist, and the only part of Voldemort she didn't like was the man himself. She didn't mind the blood erasure part. Two, she is my doctor now. Technically. Three, how would you feel if a girl that bullied you your entire life and you just became friends decided to tell you that they're your mate." Draco listed.

"Are you worried she will feel too much pity and just date you? You're wrong, if so. She isn't that girl, and she is strong enough to say no." Harry explained. "Can we get back to the case, please?" Draco grunted after a moment of silence. So, they did, and they got just as far as they did yesterday. Positively nowhere. Greyback was gone without any trace anywhere, and it was beginning to frustrate Draco. They visited the hospital once their shift ended.

Draco smelled the distress before he saw it.

As he walked in, he smelled blood and rotting flesh. The lights were dimmed, and there were Aurors everywhere. "This happened just after you two clocked out." Kingsley told them. "He was here." Draco smelled Greyback, and Kingsley nodded grimly. "McLaggens dead." Kingsley sighed. Draco and Harry's heart dropped to their ass. So, if Greyback knew that the victim talked, he would kill them. "Where's Granger?" Draco asked, his voice clipped and serious. Draco didn't even await the answer. He got into the lift, going to the trauma ward. Her office was on the same floor.

Upstairs, more Auror's were assessing the situation, taking pictures and collecting evidence. He heard her voice within seconds, moving through the crowd to find her. She was incredibly distressed. Her hair was as crazy as normal, but her face was flushed red, and her voice was shaking. She was speaking with Eric, and he was being stern with her. She stuttered, and he wouldn't hesitate to just tell her to calm down. "Smith, I'm taking over." Malfoy voiced. Eric looked past Hermione's shoulder at Draco, shaking his head. "Be my guest. She isn't much help." Eric chuckled, handing the notes to Draco as he walked off.

Hermione sniffled and turned to Draco, her eyes vulnerable. "He's right. I can't--I just-" But Draco shook his head. "You do not have to talk, Granger. You are vulnerable, and that is okay." Draco sighed, putting his hand on her arm. Hermione's eyes watered and she bit her lip, looking down at the floor. "I thought my days of seeing death were over." Hermione whispered, sniffling. "People die in hospitals all the time, Granger." Draco purred, gently placing his hand on her lower back. He couldn't not touch her.

His senses had heightened when he entered the hospital. He felt the distress, and he immediately worried for her safety. He had just told Harry that he was worried for her and look what happened. His need for her safety had choked him, and it wasn't enough just to see her. He wanted to wrap her up into his arms and keep her safe. Hermione choked on a sob, shaking her head. "Not my patients, Draco. I- never my patients." Hermione cried, her hands shaking as she placed her hands over her face.