Broken

Choices

"Hello, Dr Patil? Hi, yes, do you do house calls...?'

*****

'Hi Padma, thank you for coming so quickly...'

Hermione led Padma into the living room. She had unfolded her sofa into a temporary bed. Draco lay on the bed in the recovery position, his blonde hair flopped over his face and his sharp face grey.

'What seems to be the cause?' Padma crouched over Draco's unconscious body. She pulled various instruments out of her bag.

'I'm not honestly sure...'

Hermione quickly explained everything she knew, from his over-work and exhaustion, to his erratic behaviour and taking unknown potions. Narcissa had shut down Luna's attempts at questioning.

Padma pulled his eyelid back and shone her wand into his eye. He was unresponsive. She scribbled notes as she examined him. Her long fingers moved quickly and gently, prodding him.

Hermione turned away, blushing, as Padma unfastened the top of Draco's robe. Peeking over her shoulder, Hermiome saw silvery scars running over his pale, muscular chest. She turned redder and looked away again.

'Breathing is clear, heart-rate steady,' Padma muttered as she listened to Draco's chest. She looked carefully at the cord she had wrapped around his wrist. 'Blood sugar is very low. Temperature high. Blood pressure below normal.'

Padma rocked back on her heels and pointed her wand at his temple. A yellow spark sank into his skin. Padma studied her pocket-watch, lips moving soundlessly.

Draco groaned as his eyes fluttered open. Hermione sighed, the knot in her stomach loosening.

Padma helped Draco sit up slowly. Hermione went to the kitchen to make them each a cup of tea while Padma had a private discussion with him.

The sound of Hugo fussing crackled over the baby monitor. Hermione left the drinks on the counter and went upstairs.

When she returned, Hugo burbling on her hip, the living room door was open. Draco and Padma were sipping their drinks, talking quietly.

'Do you have anyone at home with you?' Padma was asking.

'Yeah, yes, of course. I'll be fine...' Padma raised an elegant eyebrow at him. 'I will! I'll pass your instructions onto Sooty, he'll take good care of me...'

'And Sooty is...?'

'...my house-elf...'

'Mr Malfoy, I have a duty of care to ensure you are adequately looked after...'

'I will be!'

'I cannot possibly condone you being solely in the care of a house-elf in your condition. I recommend that you are admitted into St Mungo's until you're recovered'

'What? No! No way!'

'He can stay here,' Hermione found herself saying. Padma and Draco stared at her. 'I mean, you probably wouldn't want to, but I have a spare room and it wouldn't be any trouble...'

'Ok'

Hermione was taken aback. Draco's gaze dropped to the floor. She saw his ears turn pink.

'Well, ok then, I guess that's settled?' Padma looked stunned, but handed Hermione a parchment of instructions. 'I'll be back to check on you at the end of the week. Owl me if you need anything, ring me in an emergency.'

Draco and Hermione nodded, not looking at each other.

Padma stood to leave and Draco leaped to his feet. He wobbled slightly but steadied himself. He shook Padma's hand and muttered his thanks.

Hermione walked Padma to the door, moving Hugo to her other hip.

'Thank you again, Padma. Tell Parvati I say hello. See you soon!'

The door closed and Hermione returned to her new house-guest. What had she been thinking?!