Draco Malfoy Gets a Life Coach

Slowly

Her arms were still around my neck and my hand was still in her hair and we were frozen there.

"Was that the first kiss or have you been snogging ever since you knocked me out?"

I was glaring at him with an unbridled fury, but tore my eyes away to glance back at Granger. Our eyes met and her cheeks flushed slightly as she pulled her hands from my neck. I removed my hands as well, my entire body protesting at the lack of contact.

"Hmm, first kiss for sure. You're both supremely awkward right now."

"Oh, and none of that could be attributed to your sodding presence," I growled.

Theo smirked and shrugged in an exaggerated way. Just then, the Healer that had been attending to Theo entered the room.

"Ah, Mr. Nott, back with us again," she said as she scribbled some notes onto the parchment in her hands.

"And happy to be so," Theo said, inclining his head.

The Healer walked over to Theo and ran a series of diagnostic charms, as Granger and I stood watching and not looking at one another.

Turning toward Granger, she said, "I understand you will be escorting Mr. Nott home?"

"That's right."

My mouth hung open as I gaped stupidly at Theo, Granger, and the Healer in quick succession.

"No," I found myself saying, and all eyes turned to me. "There's no way that's happening."

The Healer simply looked confused, but Granger turned to me with a conciliatory look on her face. "Draco... I've got to."

I shook my head. "You do not. I can—" I stopped mid-sentence, realizing with disgust that I was still under house arrest and could not, in fact, accompany Nott to his home. Then my eyes brightened with a new idea. "I'll take him to the Manor."

"Draco, as a Ministry employee witness to the incident, I am bound to see this situation through its conclusion. I can accompany him home, it's not a problem."

"You can come with us to the Manor. I'm sure Theo would love to be doted on by my mother, wouldn't you Theo?" I asked with a menacing glare.

"Offering your mother to me directly now, Draco? Well, I actually didn't think this day would come."

I stifled a groan. I really didn't care what Theo said to my mother at this point, I just could not leave him alone with Granger.

The Healer looked confusedly between all of us. "Well, alright then, Mr. Nott I am sending you home with a potion series. Ms. Granger, please ensure he takes them all over the next 24 hours, and certainly before any strenuous activity."

Granger nodded, and the tension in my chest released when I realized she had essentially agreed to come to the Manor.

This was going to be an interesting afternoon.

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"Mother?" I called out once we were all through the Floo.

For once, she wasn't there waiting to interrogate me. A loud CRACK announced Wumply's entrance into the room.

"Master Draco," he said with a bow. "Mistress Narcissa is in her garden, she expects you there!"