Inside Your Mind

are we there yet

Are We There Yet - Ingrid Michaelson

September 21st 1998

Hermione smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes, and Draco couldn't help himself. He leant in, bending slightly so that he was closer to Hermione's height, and pressed his lips against her skin.

'That's the Granger I was talking about. Strong, independent, fierce.' He whispered in her ear as his hand cupped her jaw. 'Welcome back.'

Hermione went to shove him away, her cheeks burning at his proximity and his scent invading her nostrils, but in lifting her left arm she let out a strangled yell and Draco immediately pulled back.

'Shit, let's go to Madam Pomfrey, I think that shoulder is dislocated.' He said, concern etched across his face when he realised that he'd injured her this badly.

'Yeah.' Hermione agreed quietly as she attempted to stop the tears of pain from dripping down her face and clear the black spots from her vision.

Draco placed a gentle hand on Hermione's lower back as they walked the rest of the way to the hospital wing, giving her a gentle push when she hesitated as he opened the door for her.

They were met by the shocked face of Madam Pomfrey and the angry face of Professor Switch as they walked in looking extremely disheveled and badly hurt.

'What, in the name of Merlin, happened to the pair of you.' Professor Switch asked angrily.

Draco and Hermione shared a quick look of panic, wondering what excuse they could come up with.

'We...' Hermione began, hesitating slightly.

'I got carried away.' Draco said quickly. 'It was my fault, Professor.'

'No, Professor, that's not true.' Hermione said. 'I started it. Malfoy was only defending himself against my attack.'

'Professor, it was my fault. Granger is simply trying to-.'

'Enough.' Professor Switch said as she cut them off by holding her hand up. 'Ten points from Slytherin and Gryffindor for your recklessness. Headmistress McGonagall will also be hearing about this.'

The Professor left the room, leaving Madam Pomfrey to fuss over the two injured students. Much to Hermione's surprise, and Draco's insistence, she was healed first and left only with a dull ache in her left shoulder and bandages on her knees.

Hermione insisted on waiting for Draco and sat in the chair next to his bed while Madam Pomfrey left to get the Essence of Dittany.

When she had rid Draco of his shirt Madam Pomfrey had remarked that she was surprised he hadn't passed out from the loss of blood or the pain that the cut must have cause him.

'I'm sorry I did that to you.' Hermione said with a small gasp when she stood up and saw how deep the cut was. Draco hissed when he felt her cold fingers brush the bare skin of his back.

'It wasn't you, it was the glass from the window.' He replied, somewhat sarcastically, through gritted teeth.

'Draco,' Hermione whispered. 'This must hurt like hell. Why did you insist that I get healed first?'

'I could see how much pain you were in.' He admitted quietly. 'I can barely feel this.'

'You're an idiot.' She whispered, still tracing his back with gentle fingers.

The rushed steps of Madam Pomfrey brought Hermione back to her senses and she tore her hand away from Draco's skin before reclaiming the seat by his bed. His head was turned towards Hermione and he watched as a pink flush erupted on her cheeks, sending a smirk her way when she finally met his eyes.