''𝙎𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙄'𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤'𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜.''
𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄, 𝗜 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗼. I skipped the story of Voldemort's demise and went along my way into the waiting rooms. I passed by the receptionist desk and set my clipboard down, I was done with my rounds today.
All I had left to do was talk to whoever had found Draco, then I'd be able to leave. When I had walked into the waiting rooms, I saw a doctor talking to someone in the corner. I walked over and put a hand on the doctor's shoulder, easing him out of the room so I could talk to the man. The doctor nodded and left without question.
I sat down in front of the man, leaning forward in the chair with my hands folded.
''What's your name?'' Was my first question.
''Albert.'' He sheepishly answered. ''Albert Farmer.''
''It is nice to meet you, Mr. Farmer.''
''And you, Miss...'' He waited for a name.
''Diggory.''
He nodded and we shook hands.
The name 'Farmer' seemed to be taken almost literally. He had on a straw hat, along with a flannel and some jeans. His brown work boots had mud blotched at the bottom of them, which had fallen off as he walked around the room. His hair was going from a healthy brown to an olding grey.
Albert bounced his leg out of nervousness, trying not to wring his fingers together. He was hunched forward, too tense to lean back. He looked tired.
''Calm down, please.'' I tried to reassure.
He looked up at me with a hopeful look, before nodding and letting out a deep breath.
''Is he uh..'' He cleared his throat. ''Is he okay?''
''Yes, he's quite all right. Thanks to you.''
''Anytime, Ma'am.'' I didn't notice earlier, but he also seemed to have an accent. He smelled a bit like bacon and manure. Though the bacon was stronger, I could still smell the manure.
''I have a few questions I'd like to ask.'' I said, taking my thoughts away from the smell that lingered around him. ''If it doesn't take up too much of your time.''
''No, that's quite all right.'' He waved his hand at me, shifting around in his seat. ''Ask away.''
''Okay, well, first things first. Where did you find him?''
Albert paused for a moment, seemingly recalling where he had been at the time. ''Central Park, just downtown.''
''Downtown?'' I repeated. Albert nodded.
''Found him laid near the stone bridge, soaking in the water.''
''Did you happen to see anyone else there before you seen him?''
''No, reckon it was just me.'' He shrugged.
''What time did you find him?''
Albert paused for another moment. His fingers twitched with each tilt of his head. He then reached up and scratched the back of his head. ''I'd say about 5:30 in the morning.''
My eyes widened at the news. ''People still get up that early?''
Albert laughed from my comment. ''That they do.'' He nodded. ''Sometimes I like to get up before the wife and to sightseeing. It's best when everybody is gone and there's no cars racing down the road.''
''I hear that.'' I agreed with a head nod. ''Are you sure there wasn't anyone else there?''
''Quite sure of it.'' He declared again.
I stopped to think a moment. If those injuries were from a Werewolf, then that means that Draco could've been sitting there for a number of hours. Hell, he could've even died. But why didn't he? Usually Werewolves don't show mercy, especially without Wolfsbane. I never figured that one would injure it's prey and come back for it next time.
Albert looked concerned from his spot across from me.
''Should I be worried about something?'' He asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up at the man. ''From the look on your face,'' He gestured to my expression. ''It doesn't seem like just some accident.''
I sighed before pulling a smile. ''Just be safe, Mr. Farmer. If anything else happens or you remember something, I'll be here.''
''Will do, Ma'am.'' He nodded.
I got up and patted his shoulder, leading him out of the waiting room. I led him to the receptionist counter, so he could sign out as I headed back to Draco's room. I wanted to make sure he was doing just fine before I left for the night.
Passing by different doctors and nurses who bidded me a good night, I finally reached the door. I didn't hear anything from inside, so, I turned the door handle and slowly opened the door. Just as I was about to walk in, a nurse had appeared at the door.
''Oh!'' She squeaked when she almost ran into me. ''Sorry, Miss Diggory. I didn't see you there.''
''Yes, I know.'' I nodded, looking down at her with suspicion. ''What are you doing in here?''
''I'm just checking in on the patient.''
''I'm sure I assigned Doctor Malcom to him.'' I recalled, not seeing the black haired doctor anywhere.
''Doctor Malcom had went home already. He asked me to do his final check in with Mr. Malfoy.''
That only made my suspicion grow. Deep down, something had started to bubble up. Maybe a rising anger. Maybe... no.
''Well, if you'll move aside.'' I suggested. ''I'd like to see Draco.''
''I just checked...'' She threw a thumb over her shoulder, trailing off her words.
''I said, I'd like to see Draco. So please, move aside.''
Though we were about the same height, I stood more confidently. When she took in my words, she huffed and stomped off with a glare. I watched her walk down the hallway and around the corner. When she was gone, I opened the door again and stepped through to the other side.
I closed the door behind me, taking note of the dimly lit room. The windows had allowed the last moments of the sun to shine against the glass, giving the room a warm look with the sunset. Draco was the only one in the room, his chest rising and falling in a peaceful motion.
''What did I say?'' He suddenly spoke, hearing the door close. He snapped his head in my direction, his features going from angry to a more softened sight. ''Y/n.'' He spoke my name, as if it was the only thing that gave him life. ''I'm sorry.''
Draco shook his head, facing the ceiling again. He brought a hand up to rub his eyes.
''What's wrong?'' I asked, slowly making my way closer to the side of his bed.
''I don't like being stuck here.'' He complained, bringing his hand back down onto the bed. ''All day, every day. All I see is the rise and fall of the sun from the other side of the window. I could feel the breeze outside, only these blankets and the bandages I have. I can't hear anything, not the birds or the dogs. Hell, even the sound of the annoying people.''
I sighed, feeling compassionate for Draco. I sat down in the chair next to his bed, listening to him rant.
''I don't want to be stuck here all day long. Of course, I'm injured, but I can at least leave for a few minutes. That's all I could ask for. Who knows how long I'm going to be stuck here.''
Actually, I understood how he felt. It was like when Umbridge had locked me in the dungeons in fifth year. I wanted to leave. Not just because it was a full moon, but also because I didn't like being stuck in the same place for more then an hour.
''I get it, I really do.''
Draco sighed in response, watching the sky from our the window.
''How about this,'' I started. Draco turned his head to face me. ''You stay here tonight, I'll try getting you out of here by tomorrow.''
''Really?'' He asked in a hopeful tone.
I nodded in response, watching his eyes light up. He had only been in here for less than a day and he already looks miserable.
''What were you ticked off about earlier, anyway?'' I asked, recalling that he yelled at me when I walked through the door.
Draco hummed, before remembering. ''The nurse, she's annoying.''
''How so?''
''Kept pestering me about how to take care of my wounds.'' Draco rolled his eyes, sitting up so he was leaned further back against his pillow. ''I know very well how to take care of them. It's nothing new.''
''It's just her job, Draco.'' I softly replied, standing from the chair. ''Speaking of, how are you doing?''
''Fine.'' He waved his hand at me. ''Like I said, I hate lying here and I hate taking whatever medications you guys give me.''
''It's all part of the healing process.''
''Seems I'm not the only one who's healing.''
I stopped sorting through the cabinets, shooting a look at Draco. He ignored it and continued talking.
''I mean, you're still going through the losses of many. Remus, Tonks, Fred, Barty, Marcus.''
''I've got that, thank you.'' I stopped him urgently. I didn't want him to continue naming the people that had died because of me. Draco sighed from his spot behind me.
I squeezed my eyes, trying to stop any tears that had forced themselves to come back. I leaned against the cabinet that held the medications. My hand gripped tightly against the wooden door, my knuckles practically turning white.
''Come here.'' Draco cooed.
I opened my eyes, glancing over my shoulder at the blonde.
He had a sympathetic look on his face, lips pulled into a tight smile. When I hadn't moved, he held his hand out towards me. It was tempting. The many times I've taken his hand back when we were young. The temptation grew strong, strong enough to where I couldn't resist.
Closing the doors of the cabinet, I walked over to Draco and took his hand. He sat me down on the bed next to him. Maybe I wanted to move, make it so it didn't seem that I was succumbing to the injured blonde. But I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay sat beside him.
''I'm here, love.'' Draco whispered.
I leaned my head against his shoulder, his hand running down my arm before stopping at my hand. He intertwines our fingers, a warm feeling surging up my arm from the action. The rings on his fingers felt cool against mine. I had spotted my ring, this time, I didn't feel the need to take it back.
Draco placed his head on top of mine, a deep breath escaping from him. I could feel my eyelids start to drop. I hadn't slept well the night before, for obvious reasons. Draco had moved me closer to him, with me practically laid against his chest now. He didn't let out a sound of pain, but rather a content sigh at the feeling of me with him.
I thought back to the times back at Hogwarts. When we would sneak around the corridors until we found a secluded enough spot to be together for a short time. When we would pretend to be mean to one another in front of everyone else. Then - when they weren't looking - we'd both be stood next to each other, lip locked.
I remember sitting in the Room of Requirement with Draco. Once during a full moon, when he had played me a song on the paino. I fell asleep quickly to that. The other was when I was actually human, the both of us cuddled on the couch next to the fire. The day after, we had learned about the Patronus spell.
I remember when he had turned into his Animagus form and I got him into the Gryffindor Common Room. He slept with me that night, too. As a ferret, of course. I remember when he came to apologize for Umbridge's behavior, which also ended up with water flying everywhere when I had smacked water in his face.
Then it all circled back, all to Astoria.
I cleared my throat and got up fromy spot against Draco. His eyes snapped open and his hand had left mine. Now, there was a lingering cold.
''I, uh, have to go now.'' I stuttered a tad.
''Now?''
''Yeah.'' I nodded, moving towards the door. Just as I had it open, Draco called.
''You'll come back for me, right?''
I thought back to Hogwarts, when I had left. How heartbroken his face must've been. How heartbroken he looks now. I look back over my shoulder, giving him a small smile to cure the frown upon his face.
''I will.''