Darkness Falls

Twenty One

1993 Third Year

"It's becoming a tradition of ours for at least one of us to end up here each year," Hermione commented as she stood by Draco's bed in the hospital wing.

He had been told that his injuries didn't warrant him staying the night, but he still hadn't been discharged after his dose of Calming Draught. Hermione noted it must've been a heavy amount as he became quite lucid.

"It seems to be the only way I can spend time with you outside of our room," he slurred at her.

She laughed through her nose and shook her head as she smiled down at him. "I don't think it's healthy to resort to hospitalizing yourself in order to spend more time with me, Draco."

"We could always find a supply cupboard," he joked, causing Hermione to swat his non-injured arm gently as she blushed furiously.

"And there's that blush again," his head fell back onto his pillow as he spoke, his eyes becoming heavy. "I love how easily you blush but I hate how I'm not the only one who causes you to."

Hermione's face fell a fraction at his words and although he couldn't see her face through his closed eyes, he sensed her mood deteriorate.

"I don't mean to put a damper on this. I suppose I'm just jealous."

Her eyebrows furrowed together and she looked down at her fidgeting hands before she responded. "I've said it once before, I blush very easily. I wear my emotions on my face for everyone to see and I hate that but I never blush as hard as I do when I'm with you. It's almost like you do it for fun," she scowled as he chuckled at her, the noise only confirming what she had suggested.

After a few moments of silence, she noticed his breathing becoming heavier and even as he drifted off to sleep. She pulled the thin quilt up further and tucked him in slightly, admiring his calm disposition once more before she left.

'We could always find a supply cupboard.' She replayed Draco's words back over in her head.

Was he implying that he wanted to be in a supply cupboard with me? She thought to herself.

She could feel the familiar burning in her cheeks at the idea of being in a similar situation as she had found Theo and Daphne with Draco, mentally kicking herself for blushing once more. She shook her head of the thoughts of supply cupboards and boys, and focused on her journey back to the common room. She reminded herself that Draco would likely forget about their conversation when he woke up and she needn't worry about feeling embarrassed again.

~X~

The following morning after the incident with Draco and Buckbeak, Hermione walked into the great hall in search of Harry and Ron. Spotting them from across the room, seated with the rest of the Weasleys, she made her way towards them. However, the sounds of a familiar shrill voice stopped her in her tracks as she turned to find the culprit.

"Does it hurt Drakey?" Pansy asked as she pawed over him with a sickening amount of concern.

'Drakey.' Hermione cringed, a small smirk appearing on her face as she thought how she would tease him about the pet name later.

"It comes and goes," he shrugged her off and turned back to his plate of food.

"I still can't believe you waltzed over to a Hippogriff and thought you would come out unscathed," Theo chuckled, earning himself a scowl from his friend. "Why did you do that again?"

"He was trying to prove to me that he hadn't lost his touch," Blaise smirked as he interjected.

"Yes well, that's the last time I get coaxed into doing something to prove you wrong," Draco mumbled to himself, looking down at his bandaged arm.