On the Way to the End - Dramione

Chapter 22

Two Days Later 

Blaise rose from his chair as Hermione entered Draco's bedroom. "Hey." His voice was groggy, "you have a nice nap?" He smiled and offered her the chair. 

Hermione nodded, "thanks, I haven't been able to pry myself away." She explained. The night before last, the three boys returned with the Pheonix tears. Hermione gave them to Draco and his heart rate stabilized- telling her that the antivenom was working. 

"I know how you feel." He turned to his sleeping friend. 

She had spent the next two days in an armchair in his room, beside his bed, waiting for him to wake up. Blaise had spent a great deal of time waiting with her as well. Hermione hadn't gotten much sleep, so when she did finally fall asleep, Blaise levitated her into the guest room so she wouldn't be disturbed. 

"How long was I out?" Hermione asked Blaise as she put her hand over Draco's. 

"A few hours." He replied. Blaise had quickly figured out upon his return that Hermione shared feelings for Draco just as he had for her. He just hoped for everyone's sake that they would be able to act upon them when his friend woke up. 

Blaise had been ecstatic when Harry gave him the news at Hogwarts after they won it back. The Golden twins had arrived just as the Order began capturing the Death Eaters and bringing them down to the Hogwarts Dungeons temporarily until they could find a better prison hold. Shacklebolt had almost put Blaise down there as well, but luckily Ron saw the commotion and was able to vouge for him. 

It was then that Harry said he needed to find McGonagall because Draco was still alive. Blaise returned with the boys to give Hermione the Pheonix tears and hadn't left Draco's side for long since. 

Hermione put a hand against his forehead and nodded slightly, "how's he doing?" Blaise questioned as he watched her actions. 

"It's hard to tell, I would think good because his heart is strong again and he's broke his fever from the venom." Hermione's tone was promising, "I don't understand why he's still unconscious." She sighed. 

"Could be a venom-induced coma," A voice spoke from the door. Hermione and Blaise turned to see Madam Pomfrey from Hogwarts. 

"Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione exclaimed, relieved to have a trained healer. 

"Professor McGonagall told me what had happened." She padded over to Draco and began inspecting him and preforming spells to check his vitals. "I'm impressed his alive, must be a fighter." 

Hermione stood back to give her room and moved over to Blaise. The Healer Witch continued her work and he gave her a small smile. She had become rather fond of the boy since their first interactions with each other. Hermione now considered him a close friend and was thankful for his company over the last couple of days. 

"He'll be okay," Blaise whispered. His positivity was reassuring. Hermione leaned her head on Blaise's shoulder and he put a reassuring hand on her own shoulder. Blaise decided that after this was all over he would very much enjoy Draco, Hermione and himself going out for some butterbeers. It was those hopeful thoughts of the future that kept him going. 

"Mione?" Ron called from the door. Hermione perked her head up and turned to look at her friend. "You have a minute?" He asked. Hermione nodded and gave Blaise a smile before heading towards Ron. He led her down the hall. "How are you holding up?" 

"I'm okay." She appreciated her friend's care for her.

"Good." He nodded and they entered the living room where Harry, McGonagall, and Shacklebolt were sitting. Hermione absentmindedly wondered when Draco's apartment had become one of the Order's meeting houses. Not that she minded, she was thankful that there were people willing to help Draco. But she liked that it had previously been their place. For Draco, Blaise, Hermione. Maybe Harry and Ron occasionally too. 

"Miss Granger, how's Mr.Malfoy?" Shacklebolt asked as she took a seat beside Ron on the couch. She was thankful that someone had scurgified it. Who she wasn't sure though. 

"He seems to be recovering, but he's still unconscious." Hermione wrung her hands around each other, suddenly wondering what this was for. She looked to Shacklebolt, who was in the armchair she had become fond of. McGonagall sat in the one opposite of him and Harry, herself, and Ron on the couch. 

"Good. Miss Granger, we wanted to ask you, since you've spent the most time with Mr.Malfoy and saw who else was apart of the deflected... In your opinion, who should be kept off trial?" Shacklebolt looked to her expectedly. 

Hermione knew that this was coming. As soon as they got the Ministery back up and running, one of the first things they would do is put the Death Eaters on trial. Those found guilty would be punished with an appropriate sentence. If Draco hadn't already killed Macnair, she would have hoped he would get the Dementor's kiss. 

"Draco Malfoy, Narissa Malfoy, and Blaise Zabini were three who helped the Order multiple times while I stayed here." She said honestly, "Oh and Gimbey the house-elf." 

That earned a smile from Harry. 

"Thank you, Miss Granger, we just want to make sure we're not wrongfully punishing anyone." McGonagall nodded.

"Is that all?" Hermione asked politely. 

Shacklebolt nodded and she stood. Hermione would only vouge for people who had completely earned her trust and that was it. She made her way back to Draco's room, glancing at the clock. It was getting late. 

When she entered the room, Madam Pomfrey seemed to be finishing up. Hermione headed back over towards Blaise, "just as I had thought." The older witch said towards the duo, "he seems to be in a venom-induced coma." She nodded. 

Hermione swallowed down her initial feeling of sadness. At least he was alive. Blaise put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"But his vitals otherwise are only improving so that's a good sign." She offered. 

"How long will it take before he wakes up?" Blaise asked, his voice nervous. 

"There's no way to know. If he wakes up, it'll hopefully be soon." She said. Hermione felt Blaise's grip on her shoulder tighten. "If anything seemingly goes wrong, let me know." Madam Pomfrey nodded and headed out. Blaise and Hermione both thanked the witch before Hermione made her way over to Draco. 

"I think I might try to get some sleep," Blaise told her. He was clearly unhappy with Pomfrey's unpromising words. 

"Take the guest room." She said and he nodded. 

Blaise headed for the door but paused, turning to look at her. "Will you be alright alone?" he asked, a bit of concern etched into his features. 

She nodded and he continued on his way, closing the door behind him. Hermione was very thankful for Blaise's positivity in a time like this. It was almost refreshing. She turned to Draco and sighed. 

"Come on Draco." She whispered, "you have to wake up." Hermione trailed her fingertips over his facial features gently. "The war is over and you and Blaise and your mother are all off the hook." She told him. Hermione thought back to Narissa. She had visited Draco the first night after they gave him the Pheonix Tears and stayed until Order Members started showing up. Even though Hermione told her it would be okay, she left, just to be safe. 

Hermione looked to the clock again and felt her eyes struggle to focus on the time. It was pushing eleven at night, no wonder she was exhausted, regardless of her nap. Hermione walked around to the other side of the bed and laid down beside the Slytherin. 

She intertwined her hand with his and closed her eyes, hoping that in the morning, he would wake.