Sunlight

Sorting Out Priorities

"When I said I wouldn't mind seeing you again, I didn't mean the very next day," Granger said pointedly. She tried to hide it, but Draco could clearly see the worry etched on her face.

"What can I say? I like to be proactive," Draco lied. He was currently lying on the familiar hospital bed in St. Mungo's, trying not to think of the numerous spells that had been shot at him because Potter refused to just sit in an office and do paperwork. Merlin, the man was a menace. All Draco had said was that he'd enjoyed his date with Hermione, wanted to see her again, and Potter chose the best way to ensure he'd see her immediately.

"Indeed," Granger replied. "And what happened to you this time?"

"I just fell down some stairs, no need to worry your pretty little head," he assured her.

"One of these days you're going to learn not to be so clumsy," Granger stated with a resigned sigh.

"Why do that? I start taking care of myself and these weekly visits are going to disappear. How will you be able to cope without your favorite patient?"

"Oh, I'll be just fine," Hermione said with a small, "he's just down the hall." Draco knew she was joking, but just to be certain he was going to take a trip down the hall when he was released. For Merlin's sake, Draco, he thought to himself, you've only gone on one date with the woman and you're already acting like the jealous boyfriend. Draco was certain Granger wouldn't appreciate that in the least.

"Well, since I'm here," Draco said, pointedly changing the subject. "How about we get dinner?"

"It's three o'clock in the afternoon," she replied, confusion flickering across her face.

"I'm not saying right now. I'm saying tonight. You did say you wanted to go out again." He added the last part with a smirk. Granger rolled her eyes.

"I also said only one date," she reminded him, carefully going over his paperwork. He was going to be released soon and she needed to make sure everything was in order.

"Well then, it's not a date," Draco told her. "It's two old classmates getting dinner after a near death experience." Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you said that you fell down some stairs."

"Very magical stairs," he admitted. "They had their own wands and everything." Hermione turned her head away, but before she did, Draco caught a glimpse of the smile spreading across her face. "Is that a yes, Granger?" She shrugged.

"I suppose. Although, most friends call one another by their first names."

"That's seems a little too predictable."

----- 

Two months passed before Draco had to return to the hospital, but this time, he wasn't there because he fell down a few stairs. Instead, he was there because Granger had promised she was nearly done with a patient and would be along to dinner shortly. That was nearly an hour ago. Draco knew the moment she finished her training and began working as an actual Healer, she would be swept up into her work first and foremost.

Hannah was willing to stand and talk to him while they waited for Hermione to reappear from which ever room she desperately needed to visit one last time. "That girl works too hard," Hannah stated.

"Trust me, this is something about Granger that I'm well aware of." As though hearing her name, Hermione exited one of the rooms, surprise flying to her face when she realized who was waiting for her at the end of the hall. She quickly glanced at the time and winced.

"I didn't mean to be so late," she insisted, rushing over to where he was standing. He kissed her cheek.

"I know you didn't mean to. Just like I didn't mean to miss our date last week when Potter made me work overtime on a case." Sure, he had been the one to insist they finish the work before heading home. They were just so close to catching the guy. They'd only been together for two months and he was certain they wouldn't last two more if they kept going like this. "C'mon, we missed our reservations, but I'll still buy you dinner."