A Future Uncertain

Chapter 12: Prison

It was nearly night time before students were either transferred to the Bronze Goblet Hospital in Northern Scotland or returned to their dormitories.

The burn paste they made during study group helped the school's supply, but there were just too many students for one mediwitch to take care of.

Hermione was owled a little before midnight that the Dragon had left before the Aurors could arrive, but they had made an arrest. Harry and Ron also let Hermione know that they would be taking reports from students the next day at Hogwarts and wanted to see her when they were done.

There was little to be done for Draco, but Madam Pomfrey let Hermione stay in the ward regardless. She hadn't explicitly told her that she could stay, but she hadn't kicked her out either.

So, she sat on the chair next to Draco's cot so she would be there when he woke.

Hermione awoke at around seven to raised voices and two new arrivals. Hermione sat up, and all three Malfoy's cut their conversation, the elder two looking at her angrily and Draco blankly.

Narcissa didn't waste time asking what everyone else was wondering. "Why are you sleeping next to my son?" she asked, her voice calm, but there was no mistaking the act angered the woman.

Hermione didn't have a good answer. There was no doubt that he would make a full recovery, and no one else had guests on their bedsides. She wasn't staff, family, or even close friend. She wasn't sure how to explain her position. "I'll just be going then," Hermione said, taking her leave.

"Answer my question," Narcissa told Hermione, eyeing her burnt clothes and disheveled hair.

Hermione wanted to disobey in spite. This woman had been incredibly rude last time she had seen her. Granted, that was eight years into the future.

Hermione sighed. She decided that she would tell Draco what happened, then leave. She didn't owe Narcissa an explanation.

"When you were running from me yesterday I thought you may have been with the rebels," Hermione started, and Draco's face turned angry at the distrust. He thought it was awfully hypocritical that she would distrust him so easily. Hadn't she been the one to say that he wasn't as bad of a person as everyone thought? She was just as distrustful as the others. He didn't need to hear any more, but she continued her story.

"As soon as I realized that you were trying to stop me from doing something stupid-" Draco scoffed, but Hermione ignored the noise. "I tried to keep you safe. You were hit with a stunner, and no one would help me get you out. It wasn't until Mcgonagall arrived that we could get you out. After that, I healed your wounds, and waited for you to wake up."

"Why?" Lucius asked, seemingly intrigued.

"He's my friend. I couldn't leave him, yesterday or last night," she answered. Addressing Draco, she added, "I needed to make sure you were okay."

He was still angry at her faithlessness in him. Lifting his hand to cover his face he mumbled, "Just go, Granger."

The dismissal hurt. He didn't seem to care that she was trying to make amends. Her eyes became watery, and she knew she would have to leave before anyone saw her actually cry. She refused to look at the older Malfoy's as she took her leave. She didn't care to see their reactions to the command.

She made it out of the hospital wing before she heard Narcissa calling her name. Turning around, Hermione waited for her to catch up.

"Are you truly Draco's friend?"

Hermione was surprised by the question Not quite, but nodded, wondering where the conversation was going.

"He needs protection right now. Tonight, he's leaving school and coming home until he takes the NEWTS in the spring, but I fear it will not be enough. You claim you are his friend. Right now, he needs your protection, whether he is willing to admit it or not. You have many people who will help you if you are in danger, and Draco doesn't have that. If you were to come to the Manor, those people would be forced to help Draco if you are there," she said, inclining her head to see if Hermione would deny her friendship to him now.