Sunlight

The Story Begins

Draco didn't know much about what happened to Granger following the war. He knew what everyone knew. Potter and Weasley went off to train as Aurors, while the smarter third of the trio became a Healer at St. Mungo's. And, of course, he had heard about Weasley's and Granger's break-up. There was an entire article about it in The Prophet. From time to time, Granger would appear in the paper, organizing events to force donations. There was much that needed to be rebuilt after the war.

But it wasn't until Draco pried opened his eyes to find Granger in her Healer uniform, sunlight streaming down on her face angelically, that he realized how remarkably beautiful she was. She had certainly grown up since their time at Hogwarts. He found himself questioning why Weasley had let her go.

This is Granger, Draco, he reminded himself. He shook his head and tried to sit up.

"Be careful, Malfoy," Granger said, not looking up from the piece of parchment she'd been studying. "That curse hit you pretty hard. You're going to be sore for a few days." He could see that clearly for himself. Pain struck him quickly, but Draco ignored it to lean against the pillows.

"How long have I been here?" Draco asked.

"Almost two days. Harry brought you in." Draco sighed, remembering what had happened. He and Potter can be cornered by seven dark wizards. He knew they should have waited for backup, but Potter had to be a hero. And Draco had to jump in front of one of the curses to save Potter's life. Thankfully, he'd been able to have an effective shield up to protect himself.

"So, you're my Healer, then?" Draco murmured. He was surprised, certain Granger hadn't finished training yet.

"I was the only one willing to work with you," she admitted. Draco saw her eyes glance over to his left arm. Instantly, Draco tugged his arm under the blanket, moving the Dark Mark out of sight. A small blush crept onto Granger's face.

"Just fix me up, Granger, so I can go." Draco found he couldn't meet her eyes as he said it.

So, she did. And they spoke no more of it.

-----

That was until Draco appeared in the hospital a month and a half later. Draco blamed it all on Potter's inability to know when to stop. He decided that he was going to request a new partner. But with his luck, Kingsley would probably give him Weasley. He wasn't sure which was worse.

Granger walked into the room, a determined expression on her face. "Malfoy," she greeted.

"Granger," he replied. "Come to fix me again?"

"What happened this time?" she asked. "Harry's down the hall."

"I don't know what happened to Potter," Draco stated. "I just fell down some stairs." Granger raised an eyebrow at that.

"You..fell down some...stairs?" she repeated in disbelief. Draco nodded. It wasn't technically a lie. He had fallen down some stairs. He'd been pushed by a hex. And then bloody Potter fell on top of him. He was going to start tallying how many times he'd saved Potter's life. Maybe, he'd get some sort of reward.

Granger performed a variety of spells before telling Draco hat he was free to go. "Oh, and Malfoy," she said before she left, "thank you for protecting Harry." Granger was gone before Draco could respond.

-----

Draco returned to the hospital three weeks later. Granger was shaking her head as she entered the room. He was struck again by how beautiful the witch was, even with her hair strewn messily into a bun. It was better this way than it was when they were kids. Of course, he had known that Granger was beautiful at Hogwarts. The Yule Ball and Slughorn's Christmas party proved that rather aptly. "You're here too much Malfoy," Granger told him, piercing through his thoughts.