Questions of Science

Disclaimer: Nope.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2: Confidence in You

Hermione wrote down her patient’s serotonin increase on their chart as she casually glanced at her watch. It was two a.m. and she had one more hour of being on call before she could go home. Usually at this hour, the hospital was quiet with sleeping patients and only a few healers on call, so Hermione enjoyed the serenity and reveled in it.

She placed the chart back on the edge of the patient’s bed and left the room. She had been working since nine p.m. and was wishing that Isabelle had been given the night shift as well, to keep her company. She yawned and made her way to the on-call room where couches and beds were placed for healers to relax and recharge during their shifts.

She lay down on one of the beds and put her arms behind her head, thinking about everything that had happened that day. She was going to tell Harry and Ron the news of her assignment as soon as she had gotten some sleep, but she was anxious for how they would take it.

Even though Draco Malfoy had sold out his own father and joined the light side, Harry and Ron weren’t the types to really forgive and forget. At the end of the battle, Harry did shake Malfoy’s hand, but it was more of a forced death-grip rigor mortis type of embrace.

It had been three years since Hermione had last seen him, and on the day of the battle, he hadn’t looked too well; probably owing to the fact that he and Snape had been in hiding and had been tortured personally by the Dark Lord. Thinking about Malfoy made Hermione think about him during their school years. He had been the biggest prat to them. The things he did were vile and evil and just plain mean-spirited.

It wasn’t just the things he did, but the arrogance he exuded when he did them. Even when he was brought down off of his high horse, he still put on an air of superiority and excellence. ‘He was most likely covering up the inferiority he felt at home.’ Hermione thought in her psychiatric way.

That was one thing about Hermione. She thought about everything in scientific ways. Practical, ordered, psychological ways. Anything a person did could be traced back to science and cognitive behavioral studies. Isabelle teased her about it: always thinking like a healer, never like a human.

Hermione didn’t mind though. She preferred to think of things in a way that could be proven. She obviously loved to read, but would prefer to read a book on potions and experiments rather than on art and comparative history.

Her thoughts were broken as she heard the nasal voice of Dr. Whore from the doorway of the on-call room.

“Healer Granger, I have been paging your wand for the past ten minutes. I don’t think Healer Brandon would appreciate it if she found out her little star resident has been neglecting her duties.”

Hermione sat up in the bed and smiled politely at the attending Healer. “I don’t think Healer Brandon would appreciate it if she found out one of her attendings was switching shifts with the interns.” Hermione said calmly. “You can’t threaten me anymore Healer Martin, I don’t work beneath you and I don’t even work in your department. I would appreciate it if you treated me like a colleague and not like some amateur intern.”

Dr. Whore just grinned sourly at Hermione. “Well I may not be in charge of you anymore but you still have to answer your pages regardless of who may be calling. Your patient, Briars, is not responding to the potions you’ve given him and the matron-witch needs your approval before pushing a higher dosage.”

Hermione stood up and thanked Dr. Whore before walking to her patient’s room. The matron-witch was writing something on the chart and proceeded to give the patient the potions after Hermione approved of the dosage.

After making sure that his stats had dropped back to normal, Hermione left the patient’s room and thanked all the deities that it was finally three a.m. She clocked out and changed into her street clothes, walking as quickly as she could away from the hospital before she was spotted by some needy intern.

She arrived at her flat and threw her wand and keys onto the coffee table of her cramped living room. She looked through the post that the owls had left on her window sill and walked to her bedroom. Sleep was calling her name and she brushed her teeth, washed her face and collapsed on the bed, not bothering to change into her pyjamas.

--------------------------

The alarm clock unmercifully rang at noon, waking Hermione from her peaceful slumber. She rolled over in bed and shut off the screeching banshee of a clock and got out of bed, feeling surprisingly refreshed. She stumbled to the bathroom and did her necessities before coming back out and changing into clothes that she hadn’t worn to bed.

She walked out to the kitchen and smiled at the realization that she had the day off today. She heard a knock at the door and opened it to find Ron and Harry standing outside.

“Hey guys, I was going to come and visit you today.” Hermione said as she let them in.

“Oh, what a coincidence. We were just talking about how we hadn’t seen you in a long while, so we decided to come and visit you, because Izzie told me you had a day off.” Harry said.

“Izzie?” Hermione said with a sly smile. “Didn’t know you two were on a nickname basis.”

“Oh um, yeah, whatever.” Harry said avoiding the stares of his two best friends.

Hermione laughed and invited them to sit with her for breakfast.

“It’s noon Hermione, we had breakfast four hours ago.” Ron said.

“Well, then I can have breakfast and you two can have lunch.” She said, conjuring some food with her wand.

Since they were conveniently in her home, Hermione decided to tell them about the assignment over their breakfast/lunch.

“So how is work, Mione? Still working with the nutters?” Ron asked.

“Would you not call them that, Ron? They have neurodegenerative illnesses.” Hermione said for what she thought was the millionth time.

“No need to pull out the fancy medical jargon, a simple ‘yes’ would suffice.” Ron said with a joking smile.

“Actually, I wanted to speak with you and Harry about something that came up at work.” Hermione said, clearing the dishes from the table. After the table was cleared, they all moved to the living room. “I have the opportunity to further my career and make attending status quicker than normal.”

“Well that’s great Hermione. We always knew you’d be promoted faster than everyone else.” Harry said.

“It’s not so much about the promotion that’s beneficial, it’s the opportunity to work hands-on with one patient who is in critical need of healthcare.”

“Ok…I’m not sure I follow.” Ron said with a confused look. “Don’t you already work hands-on with patients in critical need of healthcare?”

Hermione thought for a second, this approach was clearly not working, so she decided to dive right in with the news. Dive into a molten volcano of reactions.

“I was asked to be a part of the Domiciliary Care Program and I have been assigned to treat Narcissa Malfoy for her paranoid schizophrenia as I live at the Malfoy manor.”

She expected shouting, red-faces, cursing, and an occasional hand slam against the table. She was not expecting them to laugh.

“Why are you two prats laughing? Someone’s illness is not funny.” Hermione said calmly.

“Come on Hermione. I grew up with Fred and George; I can smell a joke a mile away.” Ron said as he calmed down from his laughter. “Honestly, she expected us to believe that she was going to live at Malfoy Manor. Might as well have said you were going to swim down the River Styx and have a threesome with Hades and Satan.”

Hermione sighed exasperatedly. “You don’t remember to bring the ring to your own proposal, yet you remember the names of muggle mythological symbols just to insult me.”

Harry noticed that Hermione looked completely serious. “Are you telling us that you actually have to go and live at Malfoy Manor as you treat Malfoy’s mum?”

“Yes, it is part of the program and this is something that I really want to do. I move in on Saturday night and I would appreciate it if you two didn’t freak out about this. I am not doing this to spite you or betray our friendship, but it is part of my job and I am glad I have the opportunity.”

Ron and Harry sat there thinking about what their treasured friend had just told them. Harry spoke first.

“How long do you have to stay there?”

“Until she is treated, which will not happen, or until she passes.” Hermione said.

“You have to wait until the old bird kicks the bucket and then you can be freed from the haunted house?” Ron asked incredulously.

“Ron, really it’s not at all as bad as you think. I know we have a lifelong grudge against Malfoy, but his mother shouldn’t have to suffer because of it. I really do want to help her because she’s been through more than we could ever imagine. I was looking over her chart and it doesn’t even mention half of the things she’s probably seen.”

“Well, if it’s your job, it’s your job and we can’t just forbid you to not go.” Harry said with a sigh. “I’m not saying I’m happy with this, but whatever you feel you need to do; I guess I’ll support you.”

“Thank you Harry, I appreciate the support.” She turned to Ron who was still thinking.

“Will we ever get to see you?” he asked.

“I’ll get two days off a week and I can ask Malfoy if I’m allowed visitors at the manor.” Hermione said.

It was Ron’s turn to sigh. “Well, whatever keeps you happy Mione. But, you better tell us if he tries anything funny, I swear we’ll send him to the Ministry faster than he can say pureblood.”

“He’s not going to throw me in the dungeons or cut out my organs and sell them on the black market.” Hermione said with a grin. “He’s already paying me extra and giving me a whole wing of his manor. I just might stay there even after his mother passes.”

She saw the looks of horror on their faces and she started to laugh. “I’m joking guys, really, just joking.”

They laughed uneasily, not really finding it funny, but decided to humor her.

“So is Ellie excited about the engagement party?” Hermione asked.

“Yeah, she’s been busting my arse about what to wear, what time to show up, who should be invited, what kind of food…the damn list goes on and on.” Ron said as he put his feet up.

“Well it’s exciting for a girl to plan these things. She’s showcasing her need to elicit perfection on an important day for her, to show her friends and family what a wonderful establishment your marriage will be.”

“Zzzzzzzz.” Ron and Harry pretended to snore. They were used to Hermione rambling about everyone’s mental processes.

“Guys!” Hermione said with a smile as she threw a couch pillow at them. “Whenever you speak about Quidditch for hours on end, I don’t act like a right git.”

“Ah, yes but Quidditch is interesting, and plus we don’t treat every human being like a Quidditch player, Mione.”

“What does that mean?” Hermione asked with her head cocked to the side.

“Everyone is just another patient to you. Every thought and action that we have is analyzed by you. I’m not saying it to be mean mate, it’s just we thought you needed to know. I really don’t mean to offend, it doesn’t even bother us, but just in case someone else mentions it, we thought we’d prepare you.”

“I’m not offended Ron. I know I can be a bit of a hassle, but after everything that I have learned, I just find it interesting that people’s actions and thought processes can be traced back to psychology. I’ll try and cut back.” She said with a grin.

The two boys smiled back at her and they spent their afternoon talking and gossiping about old school friends.

“”””””””’’Saturday Night””””””””””

“I’m going to miss you so much, Herms.” Isabelle said as she stood with Hermione at the fireplace in Hermione’s flat.

“You’ll see me again. I’ll only be a floo call or an owl away, and you’ll see me on my days off.” Hermione said as she picked imaginary lint off of her blouse.

“I know, but who is going to make fun of Dr. Whore with me and give her caffeinated coffee when she clearly asks for decaf?” Isabelle said with a sad smile.

“I’m going to miss seeing you everyday Belle, but I promise I’ll always keep you updated and if I can have visitors, you’ll be the first to know.”

“I swear I’m going to go crazy at that hospital all by myself. I guess I’ll get some of the kiddies to help me torture Dr. Whore. If that Malfoy guy lets you have visitors, you better warn him that I’ll be there A LOT!” Isabelle said and then crushed Hermione in a hug. “I really am going to miss you so much!”

“You’re starting to sound like Harry. He was spouting the same little speech today at the party. I’m not going to another planet, if you need anything, please just owl me or floo, I’ll talk to you guys at any time of day.”

“Well, it’s eight pm, he’ll be expecting you.” Isabelle said. “I’ll lock up your flat before I leave and I’ll tell Ron and Harry you said goodbye.”

“Also tell them that I don’t mind that they had to catch the European Quidditch Finals instead of seeing me off.” Hermione said with a smile. “Hopefully I’ll see you guys soon and we’ll have much to talk about. Specifically, your date tomorrow night with a certain Boy-Who-Lived.”

“Woah, look at the time, I think Malfoy’s waiting for you doll.” Isabelle said with a slight pink on her cheeks. “Owl me soon!”

Hermione laughed at her friend and hugged her one last time before throwing the floo powder into the fireplace. She stepped into the green flames and shouted ‘Malfoy Manor!’ after seeing Isabelle wave goodbye.

Floo travel had never really been a favorite mode of transportation for Hermione. It was dusty and made her quite dizzy. She closed her eyes until she felt the spinning stop and she stumbled out of the fireplace into a massive room.

It was empty and really, she didn’t know what to expect to find after coming out of the fireplace. Certainly not an empty room. Well, that was fine since she could dust her blouse and knee-length skirt before meeting with her patient. She found a mirror in the corner of the room so she decided to make sure she didn’t look like she had just trekked across the Sahara.

The room she was in seemed to be an office of some sort. A large desk, books in shelves along the walls, a couch, a few chairs, and the mirror. She walked up to it and swiped away the ash on her shoulders and wiped her face free of any smudges. She still had the make-up on from the engagement party that Isabelle had tricked her into wearing. Just a bit of eyeliner and light pink shadow.

Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and she looked every bit of a professional that she was. Ever since Isabelle had gotten her to magically straighten her hair, she had to admit that it was much easier to manage and looked a lot better than the wiry mess she had before. She remembered when Isabelle had said that the little frizzy hairs that crowned the front of her head where bangs should have been looked like pubic hairs.

Hermione giggled out loud, remembering how hard she had laughed the first time Isabelle had mentioned that.

“Find your appearance amusing, Granger?” the baritone, silky voice of Draco Malfoy caused her to whip around quickly, startled.

“Oh, I didn’t see you there.” She said.

The former Slytherin prince was leaning against the back of the couch, watching Hermione through curious eyes. She had to admit that he had grown up a lot, since she had last seen him. He wasn’t a skinny teenager anymore, but a young man with a sturdier body.

“I didn’t know you were a healer.” He said.

“Yes. After Hogwarts I applied for an internship and I’ve been working there for three years now.” Hermione said slowly, wondering when the verbal abuse was going to start, the name-calling, the little acerbic remarks that she was used to from him.

“Hmm.” He said, still watching her curiously. “You look different.”

“Well it has been three years. I’m not the teenage girl you remember from school.”

“No, not age-wise, something else.” He said.

“Oh, you’re probably referring to my hair. Most people didn’t recognize me after my friend convinced me to straighten it.”

“Yes that’s it.” He said. “You don’t have that white ‘fro anymore.”

Hermione couldn’t help but laugh. “I did not have a white ‘fro. It was just a bit frizzed. Besides, how would you know what a white afro is? That’s muggle slang.”

Draco stared at her strangely. “I read a book about styles, trends and fads once. I know many things that would surprise even you.”

She just smiled and looked around the room. “I have to admit Malfoy, that this is a bit awkward. Standing here talking to my former sworn enemy about how horrid my hair was during school. Um, I think we should actually get down to business.”

“Former sworn enemy?” he asked seriously.

“Well, seeing as how I’m going to be working for you, treating your mother, and living in your home, I didn’t think it would be wise for me to send you death glares and hex you every chance I got. I am willing to put the past behind me as long as I stay here, and then the minute I leave you can be my sworn enemy all over again.” Hermione said with a slight smile.

“Before we begin, I have to offer my apologies for the way I behaved during school. I wouldn’t want the person who had my mother’s health in their hands to hold a grudge against her son. I think we should work together professionally.” He said with a calculating look.

“You think I would stoop so low as to betray my Hippocratic Oath and purposely harm your mother because you were a turd during our school years? Well, Mr. Malfoy, you’ll come to find out that I take my work very seriously and that you could insult me, criticize me, and verbally abuse me all you want and I would still make sure that your mother receives the best care I could give.” Hermione said with a bit of an edge to her voice.

“I didn’t hear you accept the damned apology I gave, so are you going to or not?” he asked.

“I accept your insulting apology.” Hermione said with a roll of her eyes.

“Wonderful.” He said stoically. “I’ll show you to your wing of the house.”

He pushed himself off the couch and walked to the door, holding it open for Hermione to walk through first.

‘Well at least he’s a gentleman.’ She thought to herself.

He led her down the hall. As they walked, she looked around at the walls covered in artwork that she had recognized and some that she didn’t. The Manor wasn’t as gloomy or scary as she had assumed. The dark green wallpaper was actually very fitting and the hallways were lit with bright lamps, to give a more cheery appearance to such a vast and massive home.

As she walked alongside Draco, she couldn’t help but think about how much he really had changed. His hair wasn’t slicked back like it used to be in school, and she had to admit that it made him look a lot less snooty. It hung in straight strands that ended with a flip at the end and was brushed casually from his eyes. It gave him a more relaxed and innocent look. His eyes still shone with the light grey that she was used to glaring at, except now it seemed like they held more sadness, more pain. She had seen that look in her clinically depressed patients before, but she didn’t think he was depressed, only that he had been through too much for a person their age.

He was still taller than her, even though she had finally reached her final height of five feet, three inches. He was clearly at around six feet or more. She’d have to ask him later.

She had never found him very attractive during school. His ugly personality had prevented her from seeing his true outside appearance. Now that they weren’t in the setting of Hogwarts and had each grown up a bit, she could tell that his sharp features had softened with age and now just appeared to be strong. Like his strong jaw and perfect aristocratic nose.

Hermione had had this habit of really looking at a person when she encountered them. She would start at their hair and then look at their eyes, their nose, mouth, chin and neck. She never was superficial, but she was human and she knew humans used appearance as a variable for a link with someone else. He was most likely doing the exact same thing, ‘except in a more offensive and insulting way.’ She thought.

Draco stayed quiet as he led Hermione down the long hallway. He knew she was looking at him from the corner of her eye. ‘Probably wondering when I’m going to stab her with a dagger or start calling her ‘mudblood’.’ He thought to himself.

He already had the chance to take a look at her when she was standing in front of the mirror, oblivious to his presence.

He had never found her the least attractive when they were in school. She had been downright plain and not worth a second glance. He had to admit now though, that she had become prettier with age. He wouldn’t admit it out loud on pain of death, but he was still a male and males noticed when a girl was attractive.

When he had first seen her as she stood in front of the mirror, he had no clue as to who she was. The woman had normal brown hair, which was actually not as normal as one may think. So many girls during school had experimented with highlights and dying and unnatural colors that it was almost rare to see just regular brown hair, and it was kind of endearing.

She had a nice body, average waist that smoothly flowed into feminine hips. She was still shorter than him, but most girls were. When he had figured out who she was and she had turned around, he noticed her soft facial features. Rounded cheek bones and a delicate chin, a perfectly sized nose and a lower lip that was fuller than the top lip, which made her look like she was pouting a bit.

She still had an acidic tongue that he absolutely loathed back at school, but she seemed less edgy, less uptight. He knew that her healer work must have had a hand in that change. His mother’s condition had mellowed him out some, but he still was tense most of the time.

They had stopped in front of hickory double doors.

“This is the entrance to your wing of the manor. For your reference, you are located on the third floor on the east end. My mother’s chambers are on the west wing of this floor. I put you here, so that if she needs you, you will be close by.”

Hermione nodded and watched as he opened the doors, leading to a huge living room with doors leading to other rooms. She looked around the fully furnished room and thought to herself that she had never seen anything nicer.

“This is way too much, Malfoy. I really do thank you for all of this.” she said breathlessly.

“I assigned two house-elves to cater to your needs. Their names are Snot and Poopy.”

She looked at him strangely with a look that questioned the name choices. He noticed her look and calmly said, “I was four years old when my parents got them and they made the wise decision to let me name them.”

Hermione laughed at this. “That could be considered abuse, you know. Naming them something so foul.”

“No, they really like their names. I overheard them talking with the other house-elves, and the other ones mentioned how jealous they were of those names.” He said.

Hermione smiled. “Well, I guess I’m not going to bother in telling you my views on house-elves, because if I couldn’t get my friends to agree, I doubt an ancient pureblood wizarding family would.”

“Good, because I would have tuned you out.” He said in all seriousness.

“That makes me feel special.” She said dully.

Hermione had noticed something since she had first laid eyes on the new Malfoy. He hadn’t smiled once. In fact she had never seen him truly smile in all the years she had known him. Smirks and sneers were more his style, but never a genuine, happy smile. He had said some funny things and yet he said them seriously or matter-of-factly, not really with much joyous emotion.

She decided that his little smiling problem could be solved another day.

“Your clothes and personal things were delivered earlier today and the house-elves have already stowed them away.” He continued.

“Thank you. This is really very thoughtful.” She said.

“Draco!” A hoarse voice shouted his name. “Draco!”

Draco looked towards the door and Hermione knew that Narcissa was calling for her son.

Draco turned back towards Hermione. “Well, you might as well meet her now. Come along.” He said and walked swiftly out the door.

Hermione had to almost jog to keep up with his swift pace, plus their difference in leg-lengths didn’t help. They walked to the opposite side of the hall, and Draco stopped in front of another set of double doors. He opened one of the doors and allowed Hermione in first.

She saw the beautiful flaxen woman sitting up in bed with a worried look on her face. Hermione had remembered seeing her at the Quidditch world cup six years prior. She had lost the look of smelling something nasty and now she looked positively beautiful. Even with her disheveled blond locks and dark circles beneath her eyes, she was still a gorgeous woman.

Draco walked to the side of the bed his mother was on and Narcissa immediately put her arms around her son’s waist.

“I had a nightmare, Draco.” she said in a sad tone. “I dreamed that Lucy-Goosey took you away from me and that he was torturing you.”

“It’s ok mum, I’m right here and he is not going to come and take me away. I already told you that he died three years ago. He can never ever come back and I will never be taken away from you.” He said in a tone that implied he had done this more times than he could count.

“Good.” Narcissa said, still not letting go of her only child. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

“I always do.” Draco said in a softer voice. “But, first I want to introduce you to someone.”

“We have visitors?” she asked, pulling away from him and finally noticing the other person in the room. Hermione had stood at a distance, not wanting to interrupt.

“You can come closer.” Narcissa said. “I want to see what you look like.”

Hermione stepped closer until she was standing next to Draco.

“You are a very pretty girl. Don’t you think so Draco?” Narcissa asked with a soft smile.

“Yes mum, she is very pretty.” Draco said in a bored tone. “Now can I introduce her?”

“I’m not stopping you.” She said defiantly and leaned back on her pillows.

“This is Hermione Granger. She is going to help me take care of you and I want you to get to know her because she will be living here with us.”

“Living here? Are you two married?” Narcissa asked with a confused look.

Draco rolled his eyes. “Would I get married without telling you? Seriously, I’m pretty sure you would kill me if I did.”

“Yes I would. I have been planning your wedding since before you were conceived and it would upset me very much if you did something sneaky like that.”

“Granger, this is my mum, Narcissa.” Draco said.

“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy.” Hermione said, but was surprised when Narcissa grimaced and cried out.

Draco sighed and put an arm around his mother. “Please, don’t call her that. She doesn’t like to be acknowledged by my father’s name, so please just call her Narcissa, or Cissa, or any variation of that name, but never by my surname.”

“I’m sorry.” Hermione said as she bit her lip. “Narcissa, I didn’t mean to call you that. I hope you can accept my apology.”

Narcissa nodded her head slowly and turned to her side. She fell asleep almost instantly. Draco led Hermione back out of the room and into the hallway. This time, Hermione didn’t stay silent as they walked back to her wing.

“Is there anything else I shouldn’t mention in front of her? So far I can figure out that I shouldn’t mention your father’s first or last name.”

“That’s about it.”

“That nightmare, where she said Lucy-Goosey took you away, Lucy-Goosey is Lucius?”

“Yes. I have no idea why she says it, but then I don’t understand most of the things she says anymore.” He said sadly.

“She uses the silly name because it distracts her from the connotation of using his real name. It’s a defense mechanism.”

“That’s good to know.” Draco said quietly as they arrived at her double doors. He cleared his throat. “I just want to um, thank you for doing this. I know I’m considered a criminal by the wizarding world and that the things I’ve done don’t really deserve much kindness, but I really appreciate you giving up some of your life to help me. It’s very honorable of you.” Draco said with a bit of uneasiness.

Hermione realized that he was not used to thanking people, or expressing much authentic feeling.

“It really is no problem. I’m glad to help.” Hermione said.

“Well, good night then.” He said as he opened the door for her.

“Good night.” She said and he nodded before walking off down the hallway.

Hermione closed the door and took a deep breath. This was going be a long, long assignment, and it had barely begun.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: so Draco makes an appearance. I hope to all of the heavens that I portrayed him decently. I’m terrified that I’ll get a review saying how awful I’ve characterized him, so please tell me how I did. I tried to convey as much of their thoughts as possible, so that they could stay accurate to their characters………I’ll be anxious to see what y’all have to say.

The title of this chapter comes from the song “Parachutes” by Coldplay…don’t worry there will be other artists :D

And remember, PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!! I’ll pay for all of you to have a round at a Draco kissing booth if you leave me a review :D


I just wanted to thank all of my reviewers from last chapter. I have never, EVER gotten such a response for any chapter I have ever done on any fic. Y’all seriously made my day, heck you made my whole summer and I thought I’d let y’all know how much I appreciate it! Thanks to: Black Ruby, Lady Jerrilith, Gryffindorclutz, DragonKisser, paigeey07, tikigirl, sheedy, Anathema, blondiexoxo, livelifelovehgdm, Cappuccino, Orin Traver, Anon, BloodyLove, Lamb_chopz, b0rn s0 awed, Mel, and rox.