His Girl by greenflowerpot

Chapter 8

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @greenflowerpot ON A03!!

"The good news is she's physically healthy, for the most part," Nott said, examining the diagnostic spell floating above Hermione. "Other than some slight malnutrition."

Hermione was still unconscious. Draco had carried her to her room—his suite was closer but he hadn't wanted her to wake up in his bed, confused and frightened. After laying her carefully down Draco sent an urgent Floo summons to Nott.

Healer Nott, now.

"And the bad news?" Draco asked.

"An unusually harsh memory charm was used on her," Nott said. "More than one, actually."

Draco's jaw tightened. He had been sitting by Hermione's bed but at Nott's words he stood up and began pacing. In his mind he saw a faceless stranger pointing a wand at Hermione—his Hermione—carving chunks of her memories away like they meant nothing. She must have been scared. Rage burned in him.

"What else?" Draco demanded. "Any sign of who did it?"

Nott shook his head, still peering at the diagnostics.

"No magical signature, could have been anyone."

Hermione stirred then, her eyes fluttering open. Draco moved forward to sit by her bed again.

"Hermione," he said softly. "Are you feeling alright?"

"What—what happened?" Hermione asked, her voice wobbly. "Did you do something?"

Draco flinched.

"Hello, Hermione," Nott said, smoothly cutting in. "I'm Healer Nott. I ran some diagnostics on you after you lost consciousness and I'd like to share their results with you, if you're interested."

Hermione blinked up at Nott. She looked uncertain.

"Who are you?"

"I work at St. Mungo's," Nott said, pulling out an identification badge from inside his robes. "But I am also good friends with Mr. Malfoy."

Hermione's mind seemed to be clearing a bit more and a flash of fear appeared on her face.

"How do I know you're telling the truth? Either of you?"

"Your suspicion is very natural," Nott said softly. "Unfortunately there's no way for you to know whether or not to trust us. You can, however, trust empirical evidence. That's what I hope to show you today."

After a pause, Hermione nodded and Nott opened his notes.

"Mr. Malfoy told me that you experienced head pain and then loss of consciousness after hearing that your bracelet was a gift from him. Does that sound right?"

"Yes," Hermione agreed tentatively. "He says we used to be close. But I don't know if... if I believe him."

Draco tried to take heart—this was certainly an improvement over her unbreakable mistrust of him only a day ago.

"Perfectly understandable, Hermione. I'm going to show you the results of a diagnostic I just ran on you. To show you that it's not fabricated or otherwise false, I'm going to have you perform the spell yourself."

Nott handed Hermione her wand from the bedside table, where it had been sitting.

"The diagnosis charm's incantation is—"

"Discerno," Hermione said, pointing the wand over herself.

"Very impressive," Nott said, looking surprised. "That's exactly right."