Scars

While Draco wanted to spend more time with Hermione, he understood why he had to stay behind. He was also partially happy.

After talking with Hermione about her scars a few weeks ago, Draco began researching. He knew she was self conscious about her arms. The week before he finally found a way to charm a piece of jewelry to hide blemishes. The original charm was made for hiding freckles and the like, but with a little tweaking, Draco was able to create one for scars. He was finishing up the second bracelet when he heard the two girls in the hallway.

He heard Weasley ask Hermione if she was alright and he was wondering why. Hope Potty and Weasel didn’t cause problems, he though to himself. But the next line took his breath away.

He heard Hermione clear as day. “Positive. Thanks Ginny. I really didn’t want to spend my birthday in the hospital wing.” Birthday? Hospital wing? What the hell happened?

When Hermione stepped through the portrait, it was all Draco could do to keep running to find who hurt her.

Hermione was disheveled to say the least. She winced as she walked and he noticed the bruises forming on her knees.

“What happened? What was it that red head said about the hospital wing?”

“I’m fine!” Hermione yelled, then winced. “Okay I’m not one hundred percent, but I have been worse.” She winced again as she sat on the couch. “Know any healing spells” she asked hopefully.

“Tell me what happened.” And she did. Surprising both herself and Draco. Hermione told him all about the confrontation, wandless shield, crash into the wall and begging Ginny not to let her go to the hospital wing. “Take off your sweater.” She looked at him skeptically. “Hermione, I’ve already see the scars. I need to see the damage.” She hissed as she slid her sweater off her shoulders. “I hate to tell you this but you’re really not alright. It looks like you may have a slight fracture in your shoulder, and there’s dried blood in your hair, meaning possible concussion. I’m surprised you weren’t knocked out.”

“I can’t go to the hospital wing Draco” she pleaded with him.

“Why not?” She held her arms out to prove her point.

“They’ll think I’m crazy. No one can know. No one can see.” She began to cry in earnest. Draco knelt in front of her on the couch. “Well, I didn’t know it was your birthday, but I was making you a Yule present. Might as well see if it works.” Hermione’s face went from shock to hearing he was getting her something, to confusion as to wondering what he could get her that would have to ‘work’ in any way.

Draco walked into his room and retrieved two bracelets- one of braided leather in green and gold, the other silver and red. “May I?” she nodded. He slid a bracelet on each wrist and watched as they fit automatically to her. She raised her eyebrows at him.

“Interesting colors” she said.

He chuckled “Interhouse unity and all that” he laughed. “Is that all you have to say though?” She looked at him in confusion. He held her hand in his and ran a hand over her scarred arm. She shivered at his touch and could feel his fingers brush over the scar tissue, but as she followed his hand, she could see nothing but smooth skin.

“You.. wha.. how did you.. oh gods… amazing” she gushed and smiled at him. A real, large smile.

“A modified glamour charm. I’m very glad you like them. Right now they just hide them visibly, but I’m hoping to work on the charm to also hide the feeling. I’ll show you how to add to them and refresh the spell.” She nodded excitedly about learning something new.

“Thank you so much, Draco.” She said with tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck, gasping at the pain, but enjoying the feel of him. She breathed in relief when he didn’t push her away, but put his hands lightly on her waist. She breathed in slowly, inhaling his scent. She could pick out Sandalwood, and the herbal Dragon’s Blood. These scents relaxed her more, but she couldn’t think as to why- with her head fuzzy and all.

Draco relaxed into the hug, loving the feeling of being in her arms. He felt her wince at the pain of her movements, but she relaxed so easily into his arms that he didn’t want to move her. Yes, keep telling yourself that. That’s the only reason, huh? The voice in his head admonished. Shut up! The other voice replied. Breathing in, Draco caught the lightest scent of Jasmine coming off of her.

They were brought out of their reverie by a knock on the door. They were shocked to see a very disgruntled looking Headmistress. “You will follow me to the hospital wing, Miss Granger and you will stay there until the nurse lets you free.”

“But…” she started, but faltered at the glare she was receiving “… my birthday” she finished in a quiet voice.

“My dear, the longer you wait, the longer you will be in pain. Mr. Malfoy, I would appreciate it if you could grab the Head Girl’s books and possibly some of your own. I want to make sure she stays there.” Draco nodded his understanding and with that the Headmistress turned and walked with an unwilling patient.

Draco immediately grabbed their book bags, and also the book on charms that he was reading. Although the scars weren’t visible, they could still be felt.

He saw the pain in her eyes every day. He knew she pushed it down, but he also knew that no matter how hard she pushed, it would eventually bubble over. He wanted to save her. Slytherin Prince and Gryffindor Princess, Pureblood and mudblood- no not mudblood. He had seen plenty of blood in the war to know it all looks the same.