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Chapter Text

Chapter 1 - The beginning.

Hermione stood in her apartment in Boston, she rented 8 years ago. She fled to the states, because she wanted to spent some time alone. The war has taken much from her. She needed space, healing and a fresh start. She took her time studying and became a doctor / healer. She made some friends, colleauges. After the Uni she got to work in a very nice hospital, she learned new things. But after 8 years she wanted to come home. America has given her so much, but she felt homesick. So she quit her job, and packed her things.

Hermione stood before the international floo and was nervous.It was friday, quite busy. Of course she contacted the ministry and they told her, that they'd give her a job at a new opened hospital. But now when she stood before the floo, she felt nervous.
,,What if my friends won't be happy to see me?'' She told herself. But there was no going back. So she took one step forward and landed at the ministry in London.
,,Miss Granger, welcome back.'' greeted her Kingsley who stood by the floo waiting for her.
,,Thank you minister.'' she said politely.
,, It's great to have you back, I can't wait to hear all about America. I read a lot about you, you were great there. I hope you will manage around quickly. You start your job on monday. They know about you. I'll owl you the adress and all the details.''
,,Okay, thank you.'' she said smiling at him, but there was no need for him to owl her the details, she already knew everything.
,,You're welcome, I'll let you settle in, and like I said, I'll owl you.''
,,Okay.'' She picked up her things and left. She walked through the ministry, she recognized a few familiar faces. Like Rita Skeeter, Oliver Wood. When she stepped out of the lift and started walking towards the exit she heard a very familiar voice.
,, Look who made it here finally!''
,,Ginny?''
Hermione dropped her bags and ran straight to her. She hugged her and the scent of flowers hit her.
,,Oh Hermione, I missed you so much. I couldn't believe it, when you texted me, that you'll come back. I've been waiting here since the morning. I was so excited!''
,,Ginny I missed you too.'' she smiled at her.
Let's get you settled in, and we can talk about everything.''
,,That sounds like a good plan.''
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They arrived at her flat, she rented. It was quite, and small. But it was enough for her. Of course she could back to her parents house, but she was afraid it could bring back old wounds, and she was not ready yet. Before the battle she erased her parents memories and send them to Australia. They did not remember her.
,, So, how was America? Was it good? Work? Did you shag a lot of doctors?'' asked her friend with a smug face.
,,Ginny!'' she slapped her shoulder and laughed.
,,Oh come on, tell me everything. I know you texted me a lot, but I want you to tell me everything.''
So Hermione told her everything. About her study, about her work and about life in the states. About a few one-night stands she had. But mostly how the time she spent there, had helped her. How she felt better. She asked Ginny about her other friends, like Harry, Ron. She sometimes wrote to Harry, he mostly wrote back, but they did not talk a lot, but they stayed in touch. Harry completely understood she needed time for herself, because he needed it too. On the other hand, Ron and Hermione did not stay in touch. After the war, Ron wanted a realitionship, and Hermione not. She needed time but Ron pushed her, he seemed not to understand that she was not ready. Things ended badly, she told him, she will be moving to America for a while and he lost it. He started to shout at her, that he loved her, and what about them? That her decision is selfish, and that it will ruin everything. She tried to explain it to him, but he did not listen. After that, she told Harry. He was sad but he understood her. Ginny was sad, but she told her, she should take her time to heal, and that she could always come back.
Ginny told her her story too. That after she left, Harry and her broke things off. Each of them wanted different things in life. But they remained friends. Ginny had her own apartment and lived alone. She became a doctor too. She told Hermione, that she did not know, what she wanted to do, but eventually she found out. So she studied. She loved her job.
,,You know, you never told me, where you work now.'' said Hermione and looked at her friend, who was drinking coffee.
,,You know, I wanted to keep it a surpise.'' she smiled at her.
Hermione blinked confused. ,,What are you not telling me?''
,,I got a position at the same hospital as you. Starting on monday, I hope you're not angry, that I didn't tell you. But I wanted you to be surprised.''
Hermione blinked once, twice and started smiling.
,,Oh Gin! That's great! I'm so happy!''
They talked a lot. Till almost midnight. After that Ginny left home, they said their goodbyes, and agreed to meet on monday earlier to go to work together.

It was Saturday and Hermione spent the day unpacking things. Reading some books and watching movies. She ordered some food, and decied she could maybe go outside and have some drinks, just a few. She felt bored and wanted to have some fun.
She put on some jeans and a black tank top.
She walked through the streets of London for a while till she found a pub. It seemed nice from the outside. She stepped in. It was a small classic pub, with a few tables with some people sitting at them and drinking their drinks. Some of the were laughing and some of them just sat there in silence. She sat at the spot at the bar that was empty and ordered gin and tonic.
She just sat there, enjoying the silence, when someone took the place next to her.
''I'd never thought, that I'd see the Golden Girl sitting all alone at the bar.'' his voice was calm
Her body went still, she recognized that voice immediately, despite she had not heard it in years.
,,Malfoy?''
,, Yes, that's right, what brings you here?'' he asked with a little smug on his face.
,,I could ask you the same.'' she shot back.
,,Oh, so nothing changed. You're still the same bitchy girl, you were.'' he shot back at her.
,, I came here to enjoy a drink, so please." she fired back.
,,Okay, so let's have drinks.'' he said and ordered another round. Gin a tonic for her, and a firewhiskey for him.
They sat next to eachother and drank. They did not talk, they didn't need to.
After another 4 rounds, Hermione decided she had enough.
,,I had enough, so I'm going home. Thanks for the drinks, Malfoy.''
,,You're welcome Granger, I'll walk you home.'' he said calmly, like it was nothing.
,,I don't need a bodyguard, thank you.''
,,I know. But you're drunk, so stop being so damn stubborn and let me take you home. I'll just walk you to your flat, that's it.''
,,Okay.'' she said and picked up her things. They left the pub and walked in silence.
They arrived at her flat.
She found her keys and opened the door.
He stood in front of the door and looked at her.
She looked back at him, and for the first time, she noticed how grown up he looked. It was no more the 16 year old boy she remembered. He was taller now, his hir was the same. He was beautiful. She always found him attractive back at school, despite he was a bully.
,,See something you like Granger?'' he asked amused.
,,Don't flatter yourself.''
They stayed like that a while before Hermione spoke again.
,,Do you want to come in?'' she asked, she didn't know why she asked him that. It was stupid. She expected him to laugh at her, make fun of her.
Instead he took a step forward and closed the door.
He looked her straight in the eyes, and from his face, she could not tell what he was thinking.
The next minute, he was kissing her. For the first minute she was confused, but after a while she kissed him back.
,,Granger.'' he stopped in between the kisses ,,Do you want this? I don't want to take advantage of you, y had a few drinks.''
,, Yes, don' stop, please.'' She didn't know why she said that, why she was letting Draco Malfoy her school bully kissing her, but it felt fucking good. It was a long time, she had been touched by someone.
The kiss became heated, and they ended up in her bad. The night ended not as she expected to.
When she woke up it was at 7 am. She looked around and found him asleep next to her.
,,Fuck, fuck, fuck.'' she told herself. She slept with Draco fucking Malfoy.
He moved and suddenly was wide awake.
,,Good morning''. he said, looking at her.
,,Hi, um, I think you need to leave now.''
,, Throwing me out so fast?.''
,,Look, last night was a mistake.'' she told him, not trusting her own voice.
,, Alright.'' he stood up, got himself dressed, moved to the living room.
She put a robe on, and followed him.
,,Thanks for the night Granger, it was lovely to see you again. See you around.'' he said with amusement in his voice, while smirking at her.
,,I hope not, bye.''
She slammed the door infront of his face and collapsed to the ground. ,,Oh my fucking god, what did i do?.'' she asked herself.
,,Put yourself together Hermione, you're back home 2 days, and you had sex with fucking Malfoy. She wanted to burry herself in a hole.
She got up, took a shower, made herself coffee, and tried not to think about him. How he touched her, how he kissed her, how it felt.
He changed a lot. His prejudice was apparently gone, it seemed. Because the Malfoy she knew, would have never touched her, let alone have sex with her.
She occupied herself with work. Sunday was short and suddenly it was monday morning.
She got up early, picked up her clothes, something casual. Put light make up on, and left her home to meet with Ginny.
Ginny was already in the small coffee show waiting for her, with a cup of flat white waiting for her.
,,Hermione! Hey! Are you nervous? Because I am. I could not sleep.'' said Ginny smiling up at her.
,,Thanks for the coffee, and yes. I am nervous, but we'll be fine.''
They drank their coffee and talked about how their weekend went. Hermione did not tell her about her night with Malfoy, instead she told her, she was studying. Ginny was not surprised, she told her, that she went to the Burrow, and spent some time with her family.
They started to walk to the hospital, it was a rainy day.
They made it to the hospital 20 minutes earlier. They got inside. The hospital was massive. It looked new, fresh. They looked around. They made it to the reception, where a young nurse sat.
,,Hello, my name is Hermione Granger, and this is my friend Ginevra Weasley. We're here for our now job, starting today.'' Hermione smiled at the nurse
,,Hello, yes. The chief knows about you.'' Take the lift to the second floor. At the end of the floor turn left, you will get your ID cards there, and your clothes. After that, walk to the 1 floor to the chiefs office, he will tell you everything.''
,,Okay, thank you.'' They started their way to the elevator, and stepped inside. The hospital seemed quite, it was a little scary.
When they hit the second floor, they found the HR office, and got their ID cards and clothes and put them on.
After that they found the chiefs office. They did not need to knock, the door was open and the Chief was already waiting for them.
,,Come in.'' came an older voice. They walked in, and infront of them stood a man in his late 50. Dark hair, studying something on his table.
,,Please sit down.'' They did and waited.
,,My name is Peter Mason, I'm your chief. I've heard a lot about you. Hermione Granger, war hero, doctor, healer. Very good at your work. The American spoke very highly of you. And of course Ginevra Weasley. St. Mungos were really fond of you. It's a honor to have you both here. I read you both specialize in general surgery, that's good.'' said the man.
,, It's a pleasure to be here, thank you sir.'' said Ginny smiling at him.
,,So your shift has started, just go back to the ground floor, and the nurses will tell you what to do. Please always keep your pager with you, I look forward to working with you.''
,,Thank you sir, we look forward too.'' said Hermione standing up.
,,So what do you think?'' asked Ginny curious.
,,He seemed okay, I think it will be alright.''
They made it to the ground floor. A nurse was waiting for them.
,,My name is Amelia, I'm the head nurse. I"ll show you around. '' she said quickly, like a robot and started walking.
They followed her, shw showed them the OR's, the locker rooms, labs, call room (where they can sleep). The emergency room. When the tour was over, they made it back.
,,Here are your pagers, answer them always when someone calls you.'' she said handing them the pagers.
,,Thanks, said Ginny."
,,Now wait before our head of surgery arrives.''
She turned around and walked away.
,,That was odd.'' said Ginny while looking around.
,,Maybe she has a lot of work.'' said Hermione
,, Ah, here they are, our new doctors.'' said a voice from behind them. The voice was familiar, but Hermione could not indentify it yet.
They turned around quickly, and saw him. A tall man, about the same age as Hermione. She caught his eyes, and new. Before her was Theo Nott. She remembered him from Hogwarts. He was a slytherin, but a quite one. He was not a death eater. She knew.
,,Hermione Granger and Ginevra Weasley. Long time no see.'' he smiled politely at them.
Ginny looked shocked. ,,Theodore Nott? You're head of surgery?''. fired Ginny at him.
,,It seems so.'' he said smiling back at her.
,,So, ladies. I see, you're confused, and yes I'm head of surgery. And I'm thrilled that I have both of you on my team. Let's start our rounds, shall we?
Hermione was speechless, confused maybe even shocked. She followed in his steps, and listened. But her mind was not present. She never talked to him in school, of course she knew about him, that he was in Slytherin, that he had good grades, and he had nothing to do with the death eaters, which was weird because his father was one of them. As they walked through the corridors of the hospital she saw some other doctors.
,,Ladies, we're almost at the Department of Cardiac surgery. '' Theo said while they followed him. Ginny looked as confused as Hermione.
At the end of the hallway where the Cardiac surgery was stood two persons in white, doctors she assumed.
They turned around and were now facing Hermione, Ginevra and Theo.
Hermione came to a stop. For a moment she stopped breathing. Her vision blurred for a moment.
,,Ladies, I think you know these two guys here. This is doctor Blaise Zabini, he's a neurosurgeon, and a very good one.'' said Theo with a big grin on his face.
Blaise just nodded and looked unbothered.
,,And this is doctor Draco Malfoy, he's our head of the Cardiac surgery.''

 

Chapter ends here.

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Hi everyone! This is my first Fanfiction ever. I don’t know how many chapters there will be. Please don’t be angry with me, and be patient please. Also English is not my first language. So if you notice some mistakes let me know. I will try write as much as I can. But I have a small child, so it’s kind of difficult. Please if you like this story, leave a comment. Let me know. Hope you will like this story ❤️ thank you

Chapter Text

Hermione stood completely frozen, like she'd been hit with a curse. Malfoy noticed the shift on her face, but acted unbothered.
Ginny didn't say a word, she just stood there and watched all of them. It was Theo who spook first.
,, So, now you've met a few familiar faces, your new colleagues, so shall we continue the tour?." They justed nodded and walked behind him.
The rest of their tour was silent, almost awkward.

 

When they came back to the ground floor and reached the nurses Theo turned to them and said ,,I hope you catched all the things I said to you. Your shift starts at 6am, today was a an exception. They told you to arrive later, because I had to make the rounds, labs and other things. Your shif ends at 6pm. But you never know, how much hours you will have to stay here. You already got your pagers, always answer them. Be nice to the nurses, you will need a lot from them. We will usually do the rounds together, in case I'm not here, someone will cover for me. Mostly it's doctor Johnson you haven't probably met him yet, or it could be doctor Malfoy.
Hermione just blinked at the sound of his name.
,,Now, go to the nurses, they have a few lighter cases for you. Let's start easy today. In case of emergency we'll page you, or if one of the doctors needs your consult. I hope you will have a good shift, with no complications, if you need something, please page him. I"m happy to help you.'' he smiled politely and then turned around and walked away.
Neither Hermione or Ginny said a word. They just walked to the nurses, took the cases from them and walked to the ER.

Theo had been right, there were a few lighter cases, such as a young witch who mixed up her ingredients for her potion. It burned her arm, it was bleeding, but after a few potions, and bandage it was fine.

 

After 3 hours in the OR and a few patients, they decided to have a break in the caffeteria. They told the nurses that in case of an emergency to page them.
When they arrived at the caffeteria, an older woman took their orders. Ginny ordered a small bowl of chips and Hermione just had a coffee.
It was Ginny who spoke first. ,, So it seems, that this hospital is full of Slytherins. Draco Malfoy as head of cardiac surgery? That's weird. But I have to admit, he got hot? Didn't he? And Nott? How come I never noticed him in school? I'd definitely give him a shot.'' said Ginny while having a big grin on her face.
Hermione flinched ,, Ginny, please. We have to work with them.''
,,I know, but they really got hot. Even if Malfoy was a total bastard back in Hogwarts, but maybe he'd changed. It must be difficult for you given your past. Considering the fact that you got tortured in his house by his crazy aunt.''
Hermione blinked. Of course she remembered. It's not something you forget easily. Her screams, Bellatrix torturing her with the cruciatus curse. She thought she would die that night. She remembered how she looked. How she craved the knife in her arm. But she also remembered Draco standing in the corner. How scared he looked. He did not tell Bellatrix it was Harry that night, or that it was Ron, or Hermione. She knew, that he knew. Harry's face may have been hit with a curse, but Hermione looked the same. Even Narcissa knew it was them. Either Malfoy or Narcissa said a word. She remembered him at the final battle and how he walked away with his mother.
After the war, she hadn't seen him. Just for his trial, where she and Harry spoke hor his behalf. That was the last time she had seen him.
,,Hermione, are you okay?''
,,Yes, sorry. I was just lost in my head. Did you know, that Malfoy became a doctor? Zabini?''
,,No, Malfoy disappeared after his trial. I never heard of him, I knew Zabini became a doctor, we met at the med school, but never talked. However he did not work at St. Mungos.''
,,Oh okay.''
,,Listen Hermione, if Malfoy hadn't changed, they wouldn't let him work here. He may still be a bastard, but surely his pride and other shit is gone, you don't have to worry about him, and if he says something bad to you, just hex him.'' said Ginny smirking.
Oh Ginny, if onl you'd knew. His pride was definitely gone. She got flashbacks from their night together. She probably started blushing, because Ginny noticed.
,,Are you alright?''
,,I'm fine, let's just get back to work.''
They returned to the ER.

Everything was going fine, there were a few more lighter cases. Hermione was glad, she hadn't seen Malfoy. She was just about to turn to Ginny and ask her, if they would have dinner together after their shift when a young witch stormed in the OR.
,,Help, somebody please help us''. She was crying and shaking, she was covered in blood, but it was not her blood. Ginny was by her side in a heartbeat.
,,Calm down honey, what's wrong? What happened? Are you alright? Is that your blood, what's your name?''
,,N-no. It's my husbands. He's outside. My name is Hannah Jones. I carried him all the way. He wouldn't make it by apparation. One minute he was fine, we were having lunch at a pub. Then some guy started hitting on me, and he got angry. So they had a fight, they went outside, and he got hit by a curse. I don't what kind of curse it was, but it was horrible. Please help him.'' She was crying and shaking.
Ginny called for nurses, and Hermione went outside. There on the road he was. Covered in blood. ,,Oh god.'' was Hermiones first thought.
She carried him inside, where Ginny was pacing around waiting for the nurses. She helped her put him on the bad.
,,Oh my god, Justin, baby, please don't leave me, I can't live without you." his wife clung to his body crying and holding onto him.
,,Get her out, now." said Ginny sharply to the nurses.
,,No please, let me stay with him" she begged them.
,, Honey, we're going to do everything we can, but we need to focus, please stay outside, we will inform you, don't worry.'' said Hermione calmly.
The nurses took the woman out.
,,How can we help you?'' asked on of the nurses, while Ginny tried to found the source of bleeding, and Hermione ran a diagnostic charm.''
,, His vitals are not good. His heart rate is really bad. I think he has an internal bleeding. And it seems he has a heart disease, blood pressure is dropping.''
,, Page doctor Nott and doctor Malfoy, tell them it's an emergency.'' said Ginny to the nurses.

It only took a moment for them to arrive. Malfoy stormed to the OR and was beside Hermione now.
,, What do we have here? What happened to him?'' he asked her while checking his vitals.
,,He was hit by a curse, we tryed to find out which curse it was, but we don't know. He seems to have a heart disease.''
,,Mhm, he needs surgery. Now. He have to be quick. Doctor Granger I want you to assist me. Theo you will also go in with me, and Weasley too.'' he said and rushed to the nurses to tell them to prepare the patient for the surgery.

 

All of them ran to the OR, they prepared themselves and scrubbed in. Malfoy was in charge of the surgery.
,, The curse hit his heart, it wouldn't be that bad if it wasn't for the disease.'' he said while checking on his other organs.
,, Do know what kind of disease it is Draco?'' asked Theo while trying to find the source of the internal bleeding.''
,, Yes, I've seen cases like this one. He was exposed to the cruciatus curse multiple times in the past. That made his heart weaker and it developed into a disease. The curse he may have been hitten with has caused a heart failure.'' Hermione froze. A heart disease because of the cruciatus curse.
,, Granger, if you're going to just stand here and doing nothing, you can leave the OR now.'' he said with a cold voice, while searching for ruptured heart veins.
,, No I'm sorry, just tell me what to do.'' she answered him.
,, Theo, here, I can see several ruptured veins here. Did you find something else? Are there other damages?"asked Malfoy while Theo was searching the patients body.
,, I can see on of his lungs has been damaged, but I can fix it. Ginevra you're going to help me with this." Ginny nodded and started to help him. They worked really good together. Theo was working really hard to fix it.
She helped Malfoy in the meantime.
,, Here Granger, this is the main artery leading to the heart, it's damaged. We need to fix it, or he's not going to survive it.''
Hermione blinked and started to work with him. It was messy, Malfoy was sweating, but they made it. They repaired the artery. The patient is going to survive it, for now.
,, How about the lungs? Are they okay?'' asked Malfoy Theo.
,, Yes, they are fixed, but the treatment will take some time.'' answered Theo.
,,Okay, close him up, and then inform his wife about how the surgery went.'' said Malfoy while closing up. He finished and walked out the OR with Theo behind him.
After closing the patient up, Ginny and Hermione told the nurses to take him to a room and watch his vitals.
They washed their hands and changed clothes.

His wife was pacing in the waiting room. She quicky stood up and ran to them.
,, Is he alive? Please tell me, that you saved him''. She said with a trembling voice.
,,Miss Jones, your husband is alive, he suffered serious injuries. We found out, he has a heart disease due to multiple exposing to the cruciatus curse in the past. The curse must have triggered the heart collapse. We also repared his lungs. He's stable for now. The recovery will take some time, but we hope he will be fine.''
The woman looked at them with shock.
,,Cruciatus? Heart disease? What are you talking about?'' she was shouting now.
,, You didn't know about his heart?'' asked Ginny surprised.
,,No, he never told me.'' she answered with tears in her eyes.
,,Maybe he didn't know either.'' answered Hermione
,,Can I see him?''
,,He needs rest now, but asked the nurses they will take you to see him.''
,,Thank you, for saving him.'' she said and turned around started to run towards the nurses.

,,That was really ugly. Poor guy. But I must say, Malfoy did a great job and Theo too. I never heard of a disease caused by the cruciatus curse, have you?'' asked her Ginny while walking to the locker rooms.
,,No, that was new to me. I hope he will recover well.'' Hermione answered her, while thinking about their work in the OR.
,, I wanted to ask you, if you wanted to have drinks, but I forgot I promised mom to come for a visit and tell her about my first day. '' told her Ginny while changing into her formal clothes.
,, It's alright Gin, I'm tired anyway. I'll just go home and have a nice and long shower and after that, I'll order some food.'' said Hermione while putting her shoes on.
,,Okay darling, see you tommorow. Have a great evening.'' and with that her ginger friend left.
She picked up her things and made her way against the elevator.

The elevator stopped and opened. And he was right there. Just standing there.
,, Great.'' she said to herself and stepped in.
,, Well it seems we keep bumping into each other.'' he said while she stood with her back against him.
,, Shut up Malfoy. I'm not in the mood for your games.''
,,Games? I just wanted to have a small talk with my colleague. You were good at the OR. At first you looked lost, but then you got really quick into it.'' he said. His voice was calm. Too calm.
,, Thanks. '' she cut him of.
,, Granger, I didn't know that you were going to work here. I didn't know till today, when I first saw you in the hallway. ''
,, Let's not talk about what happened between us. Let's keep it professional.'' she answered him, not trusting her own voice.
,, I agree with you. But I want you to know,'' he made a step closer and was now behind her whispering into her ear ,, I don't regret it.''
Hermione's breath went still. For a moment she stopped breathing. She turned around to face him. He was studying her face, when his gaze met her lips. Hermione was lost in his silver eyes. She made a step closer. He started to lean in and exactly in that moment the elevator stopped and opened.
Hermione jumped away from him and turned around. They walked out of the elevator. Hermione was a few steps ahead of him, when she heard him say
,, See you tommorow Granger, good night.'' he did not even look at her as he walked out of the hospital.

Hermione stood there for several minutes. She had almost kissed him again. No that can not happen. He's your co worker. And he's Draco Malfoy. But he was different. He was not the arrogant bastard he used to be. He did not call her names. He acted politely around her, and he almost kissed her, again.
,,This is going to be a nightmare.'' she told herself and walked out of the hospital. She was afraid what tommorow would bring, but she was also excited.
What has she gotten herself into?

Chapter ends here.

Hi Guys. I hope you enjoy this story so far. I'd also like to thank holographicGen for her comment. I would like to post chapter 3 on sunday, but no promises. If it's not on sunday, it'll be definitely on Monday. I'll spend some time with my husband and my kid over the weekend.
Next chapter, Harry will make his appearance. Ginny and Theo will have more conversations. And Hermione and Draco? Let's see.
If you like this story, just leave a comment. If you notice some mistakes, leave a comment too. Like I said, English is not my first language.
Thank you all, have a nice weekend.
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Chapter Text

Hermione arrived home after she left the hospital. She stripped her clothes off and climbed in the shower. She let the hot water work its magic. She tried to think of her work, but everytime her mind failed her and kept drifting back to the elevator. She really tried not to think about him, how he leaned in, how he looked at her.
,,Why me?'' she asked herself. She finished the shower, and after putting on some clothes she ordered some food from the Chinese restaurant.
As she enjoyed her dinner, she got an idea. She should owl Harry, and invite him over. She wanted to see her old friend. Have chat, she wanted to ask him, how he was.
So she owled him, and got a response within an hour. Harry agreed to come over on tommorow for dinner.
After eating her dinner, she studied some of her notes, and went to sleep, hoping she would not dream about him.

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The next morning Hermione arrived at the hospital earlier. Ginny was not there yet. So she made herself a coffee, walked to the locker room and waited there. She studied some case she found, she was so lost in her work she didn't even see Ginny arriving.
,,Good morning, how did you sleep? How was your evening? I got stuck in the Burrow, my mom just had so many questions. I told her about our surgery, about you and even about working with Nott and Malfoy. It seems she's not so angry with you anymore. After you left, we fought a lot. I kept telling her, it's your life, and that you deserve to be happy, and if you want to go to America, you should. It was always the same, that you broke Ron's heart, you being selfish, and other shit. Ron never understood this. But mom seems to understand now, she told me, she will owl you sometime and invite you over.'' told her Ginny while putting her work clothes on.
Hermione just blinked. She remembered how angry Molly was, when Ron told her, that Hermione is leaving. She called her selfish, not mature, she even called her a coward for wanting to run away. Hermione was hurt, but did not stop her from leaving. She left them all behind and remained contact with Harry and Ginny. She didn't wrote to Ron in all this years, because she didn't want to. This chapter was closer for her. Yes she missed him as friend, but she never wanted something more. It wa always Ron pushing her. They both wanted different things, but Ron would never admit that.
,, Are you okay Hermione? Did I upset you?'' asked Ginny with worry on her face.
,,No sorry Gin, I look forward to meet up with Molly.'' she said politely.
After they changed their clothes, they made their way to the nurse station.
,, Good morning doctors. Doctor Weasley, you will work with doctor Nott today. He wants your consultation on a case. He's already waiting for you on the 1st floor.'' said the nurse smiling and giving her some papers.
,, You doctor Granger while be at the ER today.'' she said and walked away.
,, Oh, so I'm working with Nott today, let's see how that ends.'' said Ginny with a smirk on her face.
,,Goodluck'' said Hermione and smiled at her. She made her way to the ER.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ginny arrived at the 1st floor and found Theo already waiting there for her.
,, Ah, good morning doctor Weasley.'' he said smiling at her and handing her a cup of coffee.
Ginny looked surprised and suspiciously. ,, Don't be like that, it's just coffee.'' He said smiling. She took it and said ,, So, you want to hear my opinion on a case?.”
,,Ah, yes. A young woman, 25 years old. She came in this morning with several abominal, I’ve run some tests, they all seemed good to me. Diagnostic charms seemed a little odd. But nothing rare. At first I thought it might be appendicitis. But it’s not that.” said Theo looking a little confused.
,,Did you do a scan?.” answered Ginny blinking at him.
,,No, I waited for you” he shot back at her with a calm face.
,,Well, let’s go, it could be anything, let’s not waste time. It could be anything.” said Ginny almost running to the patients room.
When they arrived inside the room, where the young witch was., she was already on the bed waiting for them holding her stomach. Pale.
,,Hello, my name is Ginny Weasley, and this is Theodore Nott, you already saw him.”
,,Hi, my name is Ariana, nice to meet you.” said the witch, with a tired voice.
,,So you’re abominal, doctor Nott told me something more about your case, I’d like to do a scan, is that alright with you?.”
,,Yes.”
Ginny sat herself on the stool next to the patients bed, and put the some lube over her stomach.
,,It’s going to be a little cold, but it does not hurt, don’t worry.” Said Ginny with a calm voice, Theo was just watching her, saying nothing, just letting her do the work.
At first everything looked normal, nutil she noticed something on the screen.
What the hell was she looking at? There was something in the abominal, it seemed big.
She checked it a few more times and suddenly the woman started trembling and crying.
,,It hurts so bad, it got worse, please help me.” she was looking paler, and was crying. Theos face looked weird. Was that worry? Ginny thought for a second, she even saw fear.
Ginny did a few more rounds around the abdominal area untill it hit her. She froze.
,, GET THE PATIENT TO THE OR, NOW! PAGE THE OR, TELL THEM TO BE READY, WE HAVE A ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY, RUPTURED ECTOPIC PREGNANCY.” Ginny was moving quicky and so was Theo. The woman was probably scared for her life, the nurses rushed in and took her away quicky.
,, Ruptured ectopic pregnancy? That’s really rare.” Said Theo while running to the OR.
,,Should I call someone? Do you want another doctor?.” Said Ginny while running beside him.
,,No, I want you to assist me in the OR. Infact you should be in charge, it’s your patient.” Said Theo while running a hand through his hair.
,,Okay.”
They scrubbed in really fast, not saying a single word.
The operating theatre was too bright. She hated that about surgery. The lights showed everything. Every single detail. The fear, the mistakes waiting to happen.
The anesthetic monitor beeped steadily while the team worked.

,,Her blood pressure is dropping doctor.” The anesthesiologist said.
Ginny didn’t look up from the open abdomen.
,,Retractor.” she said with a sharp voice.
The nurse handed it to her immediately.
,,What are we looking at?.” Said Theo with a quite voice, it was almost a whisper.
Ginny suctioned more blood away. Her stomach tightened.
,,That’s not the uterus.”
Theo leaned closer.
For a moment, they just stood frozen.
Then he said softly, not trusting his own voice.
,,It’s attached to the bowel. “
Ginny froze. Her blood went cold.
The fetus was developing in the abdominal cavity.
,,Bloody hell.” she whispered.
The monitor beeped faster this time.
,,Pressure is falling again.” Anesthesia warned.
Ginny forced herself to move.
,,Okay we remove the fetus and the placenta.”
Theos voice came immediately.
,,No.”
Ginny took a sharp look at him.
,,Excuse me?.”
,,The placenta is attached to the messentery.” he Said calmly, it scared her, how calm he sounded.
,,If you pull it out, she”ll bleed out.”
,,So what do you want to do? Leave it? The tissue will necrose.”
,,Better necrosis than hemmorhage.”
The nurses glance between them.
The monitors beeped again.
This time faster.
Ginny swallowed.
,,Scalpel.”
Theo placed it in her hand.
,, Be careful.” He murmured
She hated how calm he sounded.
Slowly, carefully, she delivered the fetus.
The room went silent, except for the machines.
And then
,,Clamp.” Theo said finally.
Blood pooled quicky.
,,Where is that coming from? Did we miss something?.”
Theo leaned closer, his hand braced near hers.
,,There.” He said guiding her hand slightly.
A small vessel was there.
She clamped it.
The bleeding slowed.
Anesthesia spoke again.
,,Pressure is stable.”
Ginny finally exhaled.
Theo looked at her.
,,You did the right thing doctor.”
She nodded at him.
But inside she wasn’t so sure

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hermiones shift was calm, only a few cases, including a man who fell off his broom, hit his head and broke his leg. She ran some diagnostic charms, tests and checked him. He had a few bruises. She fixed his leg with a skele gro potion, and called for Blaise to check him for head injuries. She wanted to be sure. Blaise checked him, and told her, that he was okay. That he should wait in the hospital till his bones are back to normal and then he could leave.
Hermione wondered how Ginnys case was going? It had been almost 5 yours since she last saw her.
Hermione needed a break and decided to go for a coffee and snack.
She made her way to the caffeteria and was lost in her head when she suddenly bumped into someone.
,, Granger, are you lost?'' came his amused voice.
,, Malfoy.'' she answered with annoyance in her voice. ,,No I'm going to the caffeteria.''
,, Great, I was heading the same direction.'' he said with a smirk on his face and walked beside her.
Great, just great. The universe hated her.
They came to the caffeteria and ordered coffe, Hermione also ordered a piece of blueberry cake. He just had coffee.
They sat in silence. It was Draco who spoke first.
,,How do you like it here so far?.'' he asked with a calm voice.
,,Fine, the people here seem nice.'' she answered sharply.
,, I heard you were in America, what was it like there?'' he asked while studying her.
,, Why are you asking me those questions?'' she answered sharply, almost angry.
,,I'm trying to have a conversation with you.'' he answered her sharply.
,, Cut the crap Malfoy, you hate me, you treated me like shit back in school, called me names, so what games are you playing?'' she asked him with a furious tone.
His posture stiffened ,, What the fuck? Are you being serious now? You think I still believe in this crap? You think I haven't changed? I thought you were smarter. You think if I still believed in those prejudices, that I would be here sitting next to you? Or talk to you or touch you? Or spent the night with you? I was a bastard back then, but that was almost 10 years ago. I don"t hold on to those beliefs anymore, I haven't for a long time.'' he answered with dark eyes sounding furious and hurt.
,, Fuck you.'' she said standing up and walking away, leaving him behind.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
She was back in the OR, and pacing around. How dare he? How dare he talk to her, like nothing happened. Yes she spent the night with him, and it was a mistake. And yes, she almost kissed him again that was again a mistake. She knew that, but she also knew he changed. She could see it. He wasn't the arrogant prick he used to be. Of course he did not hold onto his beliefs anymore. She was lost in her head, she did not even notice a patient coming in.
It was a man probably in his 40, brown hair.
,, Hello young lady, are you a doctor?'' he asked, he was a little pale.''
,, Hello, yes I am. What's your name? And what problems do you have?' Hermione asked him politely.
,, Ah, my chest hurt quite a lot''. He said while putting a hand over his chest and smiling at her.
,, Let me have a look, please lie down.'' she said while gesturing him on the bed.
Hermione did some tests, she did a diagnostic charm, everything seemed normal. But something was wrong, she could feel it.
She palpated his stomach, and decided to do a scan.
,, Did you have some other problems?'' she asked him while looking into the monitor.
,, I was sick yesterday, I vomited a lot, but that was probably bad food.'' he said while watching her.
His heart rate was unstable, that was not worrying her now.
,, Maybe we should page doctor Malfoy.'' said one of the nurses looking at Hermione.
,, No this is my patient, this is not a heart problem.' answered Hermione sharply.
,, If you think so.'' answered the nurse with a sharp voice.
Hermione was watching the scan, confused and saw something. And it hit her.
,,The esophagus.'' she murmured.
,,What? what is it doctor?''. asked the man confused.
''PAGE THE OR, WE HAVE A BOERAAVE SYNDROM HERE.''
Hermione was moving now fast.
,, Doctor what is it? is it serious?'' the man was shouting at her.
,, Calm down, the nurses will take you to the OR, everything will be fine.'' she told him, not trusting her words.
Hermione was moving towards the OR, hearing nurses around her asking her questions ,,Should we page someone?'' ,,Do you need anything?''
Hermione ignored them, she wanted to start the surgery as soon as possible. This kind of case was dangerous, and the patient was running out of time.
,,Page someone, anyone.'' she answered quickly.
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hermione stood on the left side of the patient already halfway through the abdominal incision.
,, Scalpel.''
The nurse placed it in her hand.
Hermione worked quickly but carefully ,, Suction please.''
Malfoy leaned against the counter at the edge, scrubbed in but not assisting yet.

,, Your patient's pressure is dropping.'' he said calmly.
The anesthesiologist glanced at the monitor. ,, Seventy over forty.''

Hermione frowned behind her mask. ,, That makes no sense.''
,, Perhaps.'' Draco said dryly stepping closer to the table next to her ,,because you missed something.''
She shot him a warning look.
,, Did you come here to lecture me?.''

Suddenly the monitor alarms screamed.

BEEEP BEEEP BEEEP

,,Doc, the pressure is crashing, we're going to lose him.'' said the anesthesiologist.

Hermione froze for a moment.
,, Suction.''
Dark blood pooled into the field.
Draco's voice sharpened instantly.
,, That's too much blood.''
,, You think so?''
Hermione searched the cavity quickly. ,, I can't see the source.''
He stepped forward.
,,Move.''
,,I'm perfectly capable of handling---''
,,Granger.''
She hesitated for a second before moving to the side.
He leaned over the table scanning the bleeding vessel.
,, There.''
,,Clamp.''
The nurse placed it in her hand.
She reached it and clamped the vessel.
The bleeding slowed.
The anesthesiologist spoke again.
,,Pressure is climbing.''
Draco glanced at her.
,, You're welcome.''
,, Arrogant bastard.''
Draco smirked behind his mask.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

The hospital was quite that afternoon.

Ginny sat on the bench in the locker room. Still in her scrubs, head in hands.
Her hands were shaking, she was replaying the surgery in her head again and again.
The blood.
The possibility that she could've killed the patient.

The door opened softly.

Theo
Of course it was him.

,,You disappeared.'' he said.
Ginny didn't even look up.
,,Congratulations.'' she muttered ,,You were right.''
Theo frowned slighty.
,,That's not what this is about.''
,,Isn't it?'' she snapped ,,I almost ripped her placenta off. ,, She could have bled out.''
,,But you didn't.''
Ginny finally looked up.
,,I hesitated.''
Theo took a step closer.
,,That's called thinking.''
,,No that's called failure, I freezed.''
,, Ginny.''
Her name on his lips sounded different when he said it. Quieter.
,,You didn't freeze''. he said
She laughed weakly.
,,You guided my hands.''
Theo smiled.
,,Teamwork.''
She studied him.
He stepped closer again. Now he was only a few feet away.
The air felt different.
,,You're a brilliant surgeon.'' he said looking deep into her eyes.
,, That won't erase the fact that I nearly killed someone.''
He shook his head and said softly.
,,But caring that much is why you won't.''
Ginny looked at her hands.
Still shaking.
Without thinking Theo reached out and gently took one of them.
His grip was warm and steady.
Neither one of them spoke for a moment. She didn't pull her hand away.
,,Thanks.'¨she said.
Theo met her eyes.
,,For?.''
Ginny hesitated.
,,Being there.''
For a moment the tension felt almost electric.
Theo released her hand slowly.
,,Anytime Weasley.'' he turned toward the door but then paused.
,,You saved her life.''
She watched him leave.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Hermione sat in the locker room. Still thinking about the surgery and about her argument with Malfoy in the caffeteria. The OR was something else. She must admit, he was a good surgeon. He may have been an arrogant prick, but he was good at his work.
He changed her clothes and checked her phone. Ginny wrote her, that she'll be stying a little longer. Hermione wondered if she was okay? If the case went good. But surely Ginny will tell her tommorow.
She made her way over to the elevator, hoping this time, she will be alone in there.
The lift stopped and opened. It was empty thank god.
She stepped inside and pressed the button.
The elevator closed started moving. Her thoughts were already elsewhere. Harry would come over today for dinner. She was nervous.
The lift suddenly stopped and opened. Of course, why was she even wondering? Draco stepped inside.
,, I saved your patient today.'' he said, she could already tell he had a smirk on his face, even if he stood with his back to her.
,, I was fine, I would have figured it out.'' she shot back at him.
,, But you didn't, I figured it out.'' he said calmly.
,, God.'' she said sarcastically ,, Is it really necessary to remind me, that I made a mistake?.'' she said her voice trembling.
,, You did not make a mistake, you just didn' t figure it out, but you would, I know that.''
,, Thanks for your insight Malfoy, must be amusing for you, seeing that the Mudblood couldn't figure something out.'' she said sarcastically.
He stiffened and turned slowly around. His eyes were dark and his expression was angry.
,, What did you just say?'' he asked his tone was warning.
,,You heard me.''
Suddenly she was pinned to the wall by him. His eyes werer wild, his face cold. He looked furious.
He spoke against her ear ,, I told you, I don't hold these beliefs anymore.'' he said almost a whisper.
,, Do you regret it?'' she asked him her breath on his neck.
,,What exactly?.'' his voice hot, still against her ear. His arms above her shoulders.
,, The night we spent together.'' she asked almost a whisper, eyes closed.
That was it. That caught him off. He looked into her eyes finally.
,, Ask me again.'' he dared her.
,,Do you regret it?.'' she asked again, voice shaking.
In that moment, he kissed her hard. His left hand found her face, and his right hand was in her hair.
She kissed him back, with fierce. He tasted like heaven.
Draco's hand left her hair to meet her hips. He pushed her against the wall harder. When he pushed his tongue inside her mouth, she moaned.
His posture stiffened and his hands were on her arse.
The elevator stopped. Draco pushed himself off her. Fixing his posture. Hermione already missed his lips.
He stood now beside her. They were silent.
,,You didn't answer me.'' she said almost whispered.
He smiled ,,I think I answered you very clearly.'' Hermione looked up at him and he said ,, I can't stop thinking about that night, about you. Working with you makes it harder. You drive me mad. You're insufferable, bossy. But all I can think about are the sounds you made. Your lips, and your eyes.'' he said like it was nothing.
He took one last look at her and left her standing in the elevator.

Chapter ends here.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a surprise. I wanted to post on Sunday or Monday but I had some time yesterday and this morning. Also I know I said Harry will be in this chapter. but things turned out differently. He will be in the next one!
What do you think? I personally love the tension between Theo and Ginny. Draco and Hermione are just Draco and Hermione. We will get more of them in the next chapter.
Leave a comment if you like this story, or if you have some questions. If you notice some mistakes, please leave comment. English is not my first language.
Also I had to study a lot because of the medical cases. Hope you like it so far. Thank you, see you soon. <š

,,

Chapter Text

Hermione was at home in her kitchen cooking dinner for herself and Harry who was coming over for dinner. She decided to make mashed potatoes and chicken. Nothing fancy. She tried to keep her mind busy, but it always slipped back to the elevator scene. Draco kissing her, telling her he could not stop thinking about her. She slammed her head into her hands ,,Fucking asshole.'' she growled. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, she went to open the door and the other side was Harry. He looked still the same, maybe a little older.
,,Hermione'' he said with a warm smile.
,, Harry.'' she said smiling back at him ,,Come in please.'' Harry stepped inside her flat studying it.
,,Let's go to the kitchen, we can sit down there.'' she said leading him to the kitchen. Harry sat down and Hermione went to pour them some drinks ,,Would you like a beer, or whiskey? Or just tea?''
,, A beer would be fine.'' he said.
,,I also cooked dinner, nothing fancy, just mashed potatoes and chicken.'' she said with smiling at him
,,Oh, alright. That's great, but let's just sit down for now and have a drink and talk.''
,,Alright.'' she said bringing him a beer and a glass of wine for herself.
,,So, how have you been? how was America?'' he asked, his voice was curious.
,,Oh, it was great actually, I had the opportunity to work in a great hospital, I learned a lot of things, and I can think, i'm actually a really good surgeon now.''
,, That's great Hermione, I'm really happy for you.'' he answered with a warm voice.
,, How have you been Harry?.'' she asked with a quite voice.
,, Actually good, I became an auror, and I really like that job.''
,,Harry, look. I-I'm sorry I left you. All of you, but I needed to get out from here. I needed to heal myself first, to put myself first. I did not mean to abandon you.'' she said with a trembling voice.
,, Hermione, you don't have to apologize, not to me. I get. You needed space, I'm not angry, I never was.'' he answered looking into her eyes.
,, I know, but. You know, Ron was so angry when I let, he said a lot of horrible things.''
,, I know. But I'm not at you, I never was. Ron shouldn't have said those things.''
,,Yeah.'' she said looking into her glass.
,,Have you talked to him?'' he asked.
,,No, I don't actually want to, for now. That chapter is closed. Maybe we can be friends again someday. But nothing more.'' she said her voice sharp.
,,I understand.'' Hermione looked up at him. ,, Me and Ginny broke up 5 years ago, we grew apart. But we remained friends.''
,,I know, we work together.'' Hermione paused and added ,,And now, are you seeing someone? .'' she asked, her voice curious.
,,Yes, but it's fresh, so we're keeping it private.'' he said smiling.
,, That's great, I'm happy for you.''

 

For the rest of the evening they talked about work, they shared few more drinks. It was nice to talk to her old friend.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ginny sat alone in a bar. Half-empty shot glass infront of her and the bottle of tequila, the bartender had stopped pretending she wouldn't finish.
Her hair was a mess, her eyes red, but she wasn't crying anymore. She replayed the surgery over and over.

,,Another?'' the bartender asked.

,, Just leave it here.'' she answered.

Exhausted in that hollow, bone-deep way that came after a shift that refused to end and a breakdown she’d absolutely pretend never happened.

The shot burned all the way down. Good. She deserved the burn.

Across the bar, three men occupied a small table littered with glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

Theo noticed her first.

Of course he did.

He leaned back in his chair, gaze lingering just a little too long.

Draco followed his line of sight.

“Oh,” Draco muttered.

Blaise smirked immediately. “Weasley.”

Ginny didn’t notice them. She was staring into her next shot like it might reveal the meaning of life.

Or at least make today disappear.

Theo watched her knock it back.

Then another.

And another.

“She’s going to poison herself,” Blaise said mildly.

“She’s fine,” Draco replied, though his eyes kept flicking toward the door like he expected someone else to walk in.

Theo didn’t answer.

Because Ginny looked… wrong.

Not angry.

Not fiery.

Just sad.

He stood.

Draco raised an eyebrow. “Going somewhere?”

“Saving a colleague from alcoholism.”

He walked over and leaned casually against the bar beside Ginny.

She didn’t even notice at first.

“Careful, Weasley,” he said lazily. “At this pace the tequila will start charging you rent.”

Ginny blinked.

Slowly turned.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Nott.”

“Still me.”

She squinted at him like she was trying to decide if he was real.

“Are you judging my coping mechanisms?”

“Absolutely.”

She snorted and reached for another shot.

Theo slid the glass away before she could grab it.

“Hey—”

“You’ve had enough.”

Ginny glared at him.

“Give it back.”

“No.”

She leaned closer, lowering her voice.

“You are dangerously close to losing a hand.”

Theo grinned.

“Come sit with us.”

Ginny frowned.

“Us?”

“Theo,” Draco called from across the bar, voice dry. “Are you kidnapping hospital staff again?”

Ginny finally noticed them.

Her eyes widened slightly.

“Oh.”

She looked back at Theo.

“Malfoy and Zabini?”

“Try to contain your excitement.”

She considered the bottle of tequila.

Then shrugged.

“Fine.”

Theo grabbed the bottle before she could protest and guided her toward the table.

Blaise grinned like this was the most entertaining thing he’d seen all week.

“Look who joined us.”

Ginny dropped into the chair across from them and immediately poured another shot.

Theo sighed but didn’t stop her this time.

Draco watched her carefully.

“Rough shift?” he asked.

Ginny shrugged.

“You could say that.”

She knocked the shot back.

Draco hesitated.

Then, very casually—

“So you work with Granger?”

Theo noticed the way Draco’s shoulders went stiff.

Ginny noticed too.

Her mouth curved slowly.

“Oh you noticed?. she asked with a smug on her face.

Draco said nothings.

Ginny poured another shot.

Then Theo leaned toward her again.

“Speaking of questionable decisions,” he said lightly, “why are you drinking alone in a bar, Weasley?”

She glanced at him.

“Because I can.”

He tilted his head.

“Don’t you have someone waiting for you at home?”

The question came out teasing.

But Theo felt something tight in his chest when he asked it.

Ginny studied him for a short moment.

“Actually,” she said.

“I do.”

Theo froze.

Blaise noticed immediately and hid a smile behind his glass.

“Oh?” Theo said casually.

Ginny lifted the tequila bottle.

“There’s a whole bottle of this waiting for me.”

Draco's mouth curved a little.

Blaise nearly spilled his drink.

And Theo—

Theo felt the tension in his chest disappear as he rolled his eyes.

“Unbelievable.”

Ginny grinned at him.

“Jealous, Nott?”

He leaned closer, voice low.

“Me? never

She tilted her head.

Theo smirked.

Blaise raised his glass.

“To terrible coping mechanisms.”

Theo smiled at her.

And for the first time since the shift ended—

Ginny didn’t look quite so sad anymore.

After a few more shots Ginny decided she had enough and that it's time to go home.
Ginny tipped the bottle of tequila toward her glass again.

“Fine,” she said. “I suppose it’s time for me to go home.”

Theo straightened slightly.

“Good idea.”

She pointed a finger at him.

“And I will be taking the tequila.”

“No.”

Ginny gasped. “Excuse me?”

Theo calmly slid the bottle away.

“You’ve had plenty.”

“That’s a medical opinion?”

“It’s a common sense opinion.”

Ginny scoffed and pushed her chair back, standing up. The room swayed just a little, but she ignored it.

“Goodnight, boys.”

Blaise lifted his glass. “Goodnight, Weasley. Try not to duel any street lamps.”

She grabbed her coat from the back of the chair and headed for the door.

Theo stood immediately.

Draco glanced up. “Where are you going?”

“Walking Weasley home.”

Ginny turned around mid-step.

“I beg your pardon?”

Theo was already shrugging into his coat.

“You’re drunk.”

“I am pleasantly intoxicated.”

“You tried to drink half a bottle of tequila.”

“That’s called commitment.”

Blaise snorted.

Theo walked toward her anyway.

“I’m walking you home.”

Ginny crossed her arms.

“I’m not a damsel in distress, Nott.”

“I’m aware.”

“I can get home perfectly fine.”

“Debatable.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“You’re very annoying tonight.”

“Tonight?” “I don’t need an escort.”

 

Theo leaned closer, lowering his voice.

“You also didn’t need five shots of tequila, yet here we are.”

She glared.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

For a moment they just stared at each other.

“Fine,” she muttered.

She grabbed her coat and pushed past Theo toward the door.

“Goodnight, Malfoy,” she called over her shoulder.

Theo followed her outside.

The night air was cool and sharp compared to the warm buzz of the bar. Ginny inhaled deeply, blinking at the sudden quiet of the street.

She started walking immediately.

Theo caught up beside her.

“You walk fast for someone who claims to be tipsy.”

“I’m not tipsy.”

“You just argued with a tequila bottle.”

“It started it.”

Theo laughed softly.

They walked half a block before Ginny glanced sideways at him.

“You’re actually doing this.”

“Yes.”

“You’re really escorting me home.”

“Yes.”

She sighed dramatically.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Probably.”

Ginny shoved her hands into her coat pockets.

“I still don’t understand why.”

Theo shrugged.

“Because you had a bad day.”

She looked at him.

''I'm sorry about that, that you had to comfort me.'' she said with a quite voice.

Theo stopped.

''Listen Weasley, you don't have to be sorry, you're human, you allowed to have feelings.'' he said with a warm voice.

Ginny said nothing. She just smiled at him.

They started walking again.

The street was quiet.

After a moment Ginny muttered,

“You didn’t have to walk me home.”

Theo glanced at her.

“I know.”

She looked ahead, but a small smile tugged at her mouth.

“Still annoying though.”

“Of course.”

They arrived at her flat and Ginny was searching for her keys. When she found them, she unlocked the door and turned around.

''Thank you Theo, and not just for walking me home'' she smiled.

''Anytime Weasley.'' he said smiling back at her.

For a moment they just stood there looking at eachother.

''Godnight Weasley.'' said Theo his eyes soft.

''Goodnight Theo.'' and she closed the door.

Theo felt something in him twitch at the sound of his first name coming from her lips.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hermione Granger stepped inside the elevator with a coffee in one hand and a tablet tucked under her arm, already scanning through patient notes for the day.

The doors slid shut.

For three blessed seconds, she was alone.

Then the elevator stopped again.

The doors opened and Draco Malfoy stepped inside.

Hermione froze for half a second.

Draco noticed.

Of course he did.

He stepped in anyway, tall, composed, like yesterday hadn’t happened at all. Like the elevator hadn’t been the scene of one very impulsive kiss twelve hours ago.

The doors closed again.

Silence filled the space.

Hermione stared very intently at the numbers above the door.

Level 3…
Level 4…

Draco cleared his throat.

“So,” he said.

Hermione didn’t look at him.

“Yes?”

“You’re early.”

“I work here.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

Another pause.

Hermione finally glanced at him.

The elevator slowed again.

The doors opened.

Theo Nott stepped inside, looking entirely too awake for someone who had been drinking tequila and whiskey at midnight.

He stopped mid-step when he saw them.

“Well,” Theo said lightly. “Good morning.”

Hermione nodded. “Nott.”

Draco gave a short, unimpressed nod.

Theo leaned back against the wall of the elevator, hands in his coat pockets.

“What an exciting gathering,” he said. “All we’re missing is—”

The elevator stopped again.

The doors slid open.

Ginny Weasley stumbled inside.

She looked like she had personally lost a duel with a bottle of tequila.

Her hair was loosely tied back, her scrubs slightly wrinkled, and she was wearing sunglasses.

Inside.

In the hospital.

Theo blinked.

“Good morning, sunshine.”

Ginny groaned and leaned her head back against the elevator wall.

“Don’t speak.”

Hermione frowned immediately.

“Ginny, are you alright?”

Ginny lifted a finger.

“I made a mistake.”

Theo smirked.

“You made several.”

Ginny turned her head slowly toward him behind the sunglasses.

Draco watched this exchange with mild curiosity.

Hermione crossed her arms.

“What happened?”

Ginny sighed dramatically.

“I had a date.”

Theo coughed.

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

“A date?”

“With tequila.”

Theo laughed under his breath.

Hermione shook her head.

“That explains the sunglasses.”

“They’re medically necessary.”

“Hangover?”

“Spiritual crisis.”

The elevator continued climbing.

Hermione softened slightly.

“Well,” she said, “how was your evening?”

Ginny shrugged weakly.

“It was lovely until the tequila started judging me.”

“Well,” Ginny said, tilting her head toward Hermione, “how was your evening?”

Hermione hesitated for just a second.

Then she said lightly,

“I enjoyed it.”

Ginny grinned.

“Oh?”

“I had company.”

Ginny immediately understood.

Her mouth curled into a knowing smile. She knew Harry came over for dinner, Hermione told her.

“Dinner?”

“Dinner.”

 

Ginny nodded approvingly.

Draco said nothing.

But Theo noticed something.

The slight tightening of Draco’s jaw.

The way his shoulders went just a little rigid.

Interesting.

Theo’s eyes flicked between Draco and Hermione.

Then back to Draco.

Very interesting.

Draco kept his voice neutral.

“That sounds… pleasant.”

Hermione glanced at him.

“Yes,” she said calmly. “It was.”

Theo watched Draco carefully.

Draco looked relaxed.

Completely composed.

Except Theo had known him since they were children.

And Draco Malfoy did a very specific thing when he was annoyed.

He went very still.

Theo smiled faintly.

Oh.

This was going to be fun.

Ginny, meanwhile, leaned her head against the wall again.

“Merlin,” she muttered. “Why are elevators so bright?”

Theo smirked.

“Regretting your date with tequila?”

Ginny groaned.

“Deeply.”

The elevator slowed again.

Their floor.

The doors opened.

Ginny pushed her sunglasses up and stepped out first.

“Coffee,” she muttered. “Immediately.”

Theo followed her out, still amused.

Draco stepped out next.

Hermione lingered half a second behind.

Draco glanced at her.

“Granger.”

She looked at him.

“Yes?”

A pause.

Then Draco said quietly,

“Glad you enjoyed your evening.”

Hermione studied him for a moment.

Then she said simply,

“Me too.”

And walked out.

Theo, waiting in the hallway, watched Draco step out of the elevator.

He tilted his head.

“Malfoy.”

Draco glanced at him.

“Yes?”

Theo smiled slowly.

“You look like someone stole your favorite toy.”

Draco frowned.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Theo hummed.

“Of course you don’t.”

And followed Ginny down the hallway.

Draco stood there for a moment longer.

Then muttered under his breath,

“Dinner.”

And walked toward the operating wing.

______________________________________________________________________________
Ginny decided two things the moment she walked into the hospital that morning.

First: tequila was a terrible life choice.
Third: Theo Nott was entirely too cheerful for someone who had also been at the bar last night.

She had just finished reviewing charts at the nurses’ station when a nurse approached.

“Dr. Weasley, Dr. Nott — exam room five.”

Ginny pushed herself away from the desk.

“What’s the situation?”

“Broom accident,” the nurse said. “Nothing severe, but he fell pretty hard.”

Theo appeared beside her.

“Broom accident?” he said thoughtfully. “I’m already intrigued.”

Ginny shot him a tired look.

“If he says he tried a ‘new trick’, I’m leaving.”

Theo grinned.

“You’re hungover. You’re not leaving anything.”

Ginny ignored him and pushed open the exam room door.

A teenage boy sat on the bed, holding an ice pack to his shoulder.

Ginny stepped forward first.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Weasley. What happened?”

The boy looked sheepish.

“I was practicing a dive.”

Theo leaned casually against the counter.

“Impressive.”

“I fell.”

“Less impressive.”

Ginny glanced at Theo.

She gently examined the boy’s shoulder.

“Does this hurt?”

“A little.”

Theo checked the chart and then moved closer.

“Let’s take a look.”

Ginny rotated the shoulder slightly. The boy winced but didn’t cry out.

Theo nodded.

“Not dislocated.”

Ginny agreed.

“Probably just a mild sprain.”

“Just no broom acrobatics for a few weeks.”

The boy groaned.

Theo handed him a sling.

“Consider it a temporary retirement.”

A few minutes later, Ginny and Theo stepped back into the hallway.

Ginny exhaled.

“See? A normal patient.”

Theo looked impressed.

“You sound surprised.”

“I am.”

The hospital rarely did normal.

They started walking down the corridor together.

Ginny rubbed her temples.

Theo noticed immediately.

“Head still hurts?”

“I’m blaming you.”

“I didn’t force tequila down your throat.”

“You didn’t stop me.”

“I confiscated the bottle.”

“Too late.”

Theo smiled slightly.

“You need coffee.”

Ginny looked at him like he’d just offered salvation.

“Yes.”

Theo gestured down the hall.

“Caffeteria?”

Ginny nodded quickly.

“Lead the way.”

The caffeteria was quieter than earlier that morning.

Ginny dropped into a chair while Theo returned with two coffees.

He slid one across the table.

She grabbed it instantly.

“You’re my favorite person today.”

Theo raised an eyebrow.

“That’s a dangerous title.”

Ginny took a long sip.

“Oh thank Merlin.”

Theo sat down across from her.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Theo said casually,

“You never answered my question.”

Ginny frowned.

“Which one?”

“From last night.”

She stared at him.

“I said many things last night.”

Theo leaned back slightly.

“Your mystery boyfriend.”

Ginny blinked.

“Oh.”

Theo watched her over his coffee.

“You said someone was waiting for you at home.”

Ginny smirked faintly.

“You were very invested in that.”

“I was curious.”

“You were jealous.”

“I wasn’t.”

She laughed quietly.

“Sure.”

Then she shrugged.

“There isn’t a mystery boyfriend.”

Theo’s expression stayed neutral, though something in his shoulders relaxed slightly.

“Oh?”

“I dated someone,” she said.

Theo tilted his head.

“Past tense.”

“Yes.”

He stirred his coffee slowly.

“Who?”

Ginny didn’t hesitate.

“Harry.”

Theo paused for half a second.

“Potter?”

“Yes, Nott. Potter.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“That must have been… complicated.”

Ginny shrugged.

“We were kids.”

“And?”

“And we grew up.”

She traced a finger along the rim of her cup.

“We broke up about five years ago.”

Theo nodded slowly.

“No dramatic ending?”

Ginny shook her head.

“No. We just grew apart.”

“Still friends?”

“Of course.”

She smiled slightly.

“Harry’s family.”

Theo took a sip of coffee, keeping his face perfectly calm.

But the name still echoed a little in his mind.

Harry Potter.

Ginny looked at him carefully.

“You’re thinking again.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“You’re jealous.”

Theo met her gaze.

“I told you yesterday,” he said evenly, “I don’t get jealous.”

Ginny smiled.

“You absolutely do.”

Theo leaned forward slightly.

“If I were jealous,” he said quietly, “you’d know.”

Ginny held his gaze for a second longer.

Then she leaned back again, amused.

“Good to know.”

They finished their coffee in comfortable silence.

Finally Ginny stood.

“Alright,” she said, stretching her arms. “I think I’m functional again.”

“That’s progress.”

She pointed at him.

“If you mention tequila again today—”

“I won’t.”

“Good.”

She started toward the door.

Then paused.

“Thanks for the coffee.”

Theo nodded.

“Anytime.”

Ginny smiled faintly and walked out of the cafeteria.

Theo watched her disappear into the hallway.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hermione was in operating theatre.

 

She stood at the scrub sink, tying her surgical mask while reviewing the chart again in her head.

Male, fifty-two.
Acute abdominal pain.
Complication discovered during imaging — a cardiac issue that made the surgery riskier than expected.

Which meant two departments.

General surgery.

And cardiology.

Hermione stepped into the operating room just as Draco Malfoy entered from the opposite door.

They paused for half a second.

Neither of them mentioned the elevator yesterday.

Neither of them mentioned the kiss.

Draco simply walked to the other side of the table, already pulling on his gloves.

“Vitals?” he asked the nurse.

“Stable for now,” the nurse replied.

Hermione stepped closer to the patient.

“Alright,” she said calmly. “Let’s begin.”

The first twenty minutes were quiet.

Hermione focused on the abdominal procedure while Draco monitored the patient’s heart rhythm carefully.

Machines beeped steadily.

Scalpel.

Clamp.

Suction.

Everything moved smoothly — until the monitor suddenly changed tone.

A sharp, irregular beeping filled the room.

Hermione looked up immediately.

Draco was already watching the screen.

“Arrhythmia,” he said.

The heart rhythm on the monitor had become erratic.

Hermione stepped slightly back from the table to give Draco space.

“Cause?”

Draco was already adjusting the medication line.

“Stress on the heart,” he said calmly.

The tension in the room rose instantly.

Hermione kept her voice steady.

“What do you need?”

Draco didn’t look at her.

“Thirty seconds.”

The monitor beeped unevenly.

Hermione watched the rhythm carefully.

Then Draco made a precise adjustment to the medication.

For a moment nothing changed.

Then—

The rhythm stabilized.

The room seemed to breathe again.

Draco nodded once.

“Continue.”

Hermione resumed the procedure.

The rest of the surgery went smoothly after that.

An hour later she finished the final stitches.

“Closing,” she said.

Draco removed his gloves.

“Vitals stable.”

Hermione exhaled.

“Good work.”

Draco didn’t answer.

He simply turned and walked toward the sink to wash his hands.

Hermione frowned slightly but finished the post-op instructions first.

“Monitor cardiac activity closely for the next twenty-four hours,” she told the nurse. “Call immediately if anything changes.”

“Yes, doctor.”

Hermione left the operating room and stepped into the hallway.

Draco was already there, finishing with the scrub sink.

She pulled off her surgical cap.

“That arrhythmia could have gone much worse.”

Draco dried his hands with a towel.

“But it didn’t.”

His tone was flat.

Hermione crossed her arms.

“You handled it well.”

Draco tossed the towel into the bin.

“Yes.”

Hermione blinked.

“Excuse me?”

Draco turned toward her.

“You’re welcome.”

Hermione stared at him.

“Malfoy, I was complimenting you.”

“Yes,” he said coolly. “I noticed.”

Hermione narrowed her eyes.

“What exactly is your problem today?”

Draco shrugged slightly.

“No problem.”

“You’ve been acting like an iceberg since we walked into the OR.”

“I’m focused.”

“You’re being rude.”

Draco’s jaw tightened slightly.

Hermione stepped closer.

“I'm going to ask you again, for the last time, what is your problem?”

For a moment Draco didn’t answer.

Then he said, very calmly,

“Perhaps you’re distracted.”

Hermione frowned.

“Distracted?”

“Yes.”

“By what?”

Draco picked up his chart.

“Oh I don’t know,” he said casually. “Dinner with your mysterious boyfriend.”

Hermione blinked.

“That has nothing to do with today’s surgery.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t.”

His voice was cool, almost mocking.

Hermione crossed her arms.

“I had dinner with a friend, but that's nothing of your business.”

Draco looked unimpressed.

“Of course.”

“Why are you being like this?”

Draco shrugged.

“You’re the one who brought it up in the elevator.”

“You asked.”

“And you answered.”

Hermione exhaled sharply.

“Malfoy—”

Draco interrupted her.

“Perhaps you should go home early today.”

Hermione stared at him.

“What?”

He met her gaze.

“You must be tired.”

His voice turned colder.

“Wouldn’t want to keep your boyfriend waiting.”

For a second Hermione just stood there.

Then anger flashed across her face.

“IT WAS A FRIEND”

Draco gave a short, dismissive nod.

“Whatever you say.”

He walked past her.

Hermione turned after him.

“You’re being ridiculous!”

Draco stopped briefly but didn’t turn around.

Then he said flatly,

“Goodnight, Granger.”

And walked down the hallway.

Hermione stood there for several seconds.

The anger slowly faded.

Then something else replaced it.

She replayed the conversation in her head.

Dinner with your mysterious boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
The cold attitude all morning.

Hermione’s eyes widened slightly.

“Oh.”

She leaned back against the wall.

“He’s jealous.”

And suddenly Draco Malfoy’s behavior made a lot more sense.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After the argument with Draco Hermione decided she needed a drink to clear her mind.

She sat at the counter with a half-finished drink in front of her, staring into it like it might explain the day.

It had been a long shift.

Long surgery.

Long argument.

And Draco Malfoy being completely insufferable.

She sighed and took another sip.

“Granger?”

Hermione turned slightly.

Theo Nott slid onto the barstool beside her.

“Well,” he said lightly, “this is unexpected.”

Hermione blinked.

“Nott.”

He gestured toward her glass.

“Rough day?”

Hermione gave a quiet laugh.

“That obvious?”

“You’re drinking whiskey.”

“Is that unusual?”

“For you? Yes.”

Hermione considered that.

“Fair point.”

Theo ordered a drink from the bartender before leaning back slightly.

“Malfoy looked like someone insulted his entire bloodline today,” he said casually.

Hermione groaned softly.

“Don’t remind me.”

Theo glanced at her.

“Ah.”

Hermione frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m suddenly very curious.”

Hermione hesitated.

Then she took another sip of her drink.

“We had a fight.”

Theo nodded slowly.

“That explains it.”

“He accused me of having a boyfriend, after surgery he was acting really cold”

Theo raised an eyebrow.

“Do you?”

“No.”

“But there’s someone he thinks is your boyfriend.”

Hermione sighed.

“Harry, but I don't see how that's Malfoy's business”

Theo chuckled quietly.

“We had dinner last night.”

“As friends?”

“Yes.”

Theo took a sip of his drink.

“And Malfoy reacted like a jealous idiot.”

Hermione blinked.

“You noticed that too?”

Theo gave her a look.

“I’ve known Draco since we were children.”

“Is he always like this?”

“Only when he cares.”

Hermione stared at her glass.

“Please Nott, the only person Malfoy cares is himself”

Theo tilted his head slightly.

''You'd be surprised'' he answered with a faint smile.

Hermione hesitated.

For a moment she looked like she might change the subject.

Instead she said quietly,

“When I came back from the U.S… Draco and I… well.”

Theo waited.

Hermione rubbed her temple.

“We slept together, i was at the bar, he came in, sat next to me, we drank and then he walked me home, and it kinda happened.”

Theo didn’t look surprised.

He just took another sip of his drink.

“That must have been interesting.”

Hermione laughed weakly.

“You’re being very calm about this.”

''I'm always calm'' he said looking into his drink.

“The problem is I didn’t think we’d actually end up working together.”

Theo nodded.

“That complicates things.”

“Yes.”

Hermione stared into her glass again.

“And now he’s acting like a prat.”

Theo leaned his elbow on the bar.

“Malfoy isn’t exactly known for emotional maturity.”

Hermione huffed.

They sat in silence for a moment.

Then Theo said casually,

“You know, it’s funny.”

Hermione glanced at him.

“What is?”

“I came here tonight because of a woman too.”

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

Theo smiled slightly.

“Ginny Weasley.”

Hermione’s expression brightened immediately.

“Ginny?”

Theo nodded.

“I might like her.”

Hermione laughed softly.

“You might?”

Theo looked thoughtful.

“She’s stubborn.”

“Very.”

“And she threatens me sometimes.”

Hermione grinned.

“That means she likes you.”

Theo smirked.

“That’s comforting.”

Hermione tilted her head.

“Did something happen?”

Theo shrugged.

“Nothing dramatic.”

He glanced at his drink.

“We walked home from the bar last night.”

Hermione’s eyebrows lifted.

“You walked her home?”

“She insisted she didn’t need help.”

“That sounds like Ginny.”

“I insisted anyway.”

Hermione smiled warmly.

“That was nice of you.”

Theo shrugged again, but a faint smile tugged at his mouth.

“She had a bad day.”

Hermione nodded slowly.

They sat quietly for a moment.

Then Hermione said,

“You know… this is the first normal conversation I’ve had all day.”

Theo raised his glass slightly.

“To terrible hospital days.”

Hermione clinked her glass against his.

“To terrible hospital days.”

They both drank.

And for the first time since the morning’s surgery, Hermione felt a little better.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter ends here. I did a little editing. I hope you enjoy this story so far!! I personally like the tension between Theo and Ginny!

Next chapter a new doctor arrives at the hospital. Draco and Hermione have a surgery together. And Theo and Ginny are going on a date, but it will dramatic afterward. Also I started to write this ff ahead on my computer, so I can post the chapters regulary. Thank you, and I really hope you enjoy this. Drama is about to start. If you like this story, leave a comment, if you see mistakes, leave a comment text me. As you know, english is not my first language. Thank you so much. <3 see you soon, maybe tommorow? let's see.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5.

The new doctor.

 

Hermione woke up the next morning with a mild headache.
She confessed her secret to Theo Nott.
And he confessed his to her.

She got up and made her way to the bathroom to get herself ready for work.

She tried hard not to think about her argument with Draco yesterday.

______________________________________________________________________

Hermione arrived at the hospital and choosed to walk. She was in no mood to bump into Draco Malfoy in the elevator.

She changed herself into work clothes and made herself to the nurse station It was early, she hasn’t seen Ginny yet nor Theo or Draco. She sat in a chair and was checking some charts when she heard a familiar voice from the desk.

‘’Excuse me’’ said a familiar feminine voice.

Hermione's face shot up.

There behind the desk stood Daphne Greengrass, she remembered her from school. She looked good, long blonde hair, bright blue eyes.

‘’Can I help you?’’ asked Hermione her voice calm’’

‘’Hermione Granger?’’ asked Daphne with a surprised voice, but her face remained calm.

‘’Daphne Greengrass, how can I help you?’’ asked Hermione

‘’You work here?’’

‘’Obviously’’

‘’ I didn’t mean to offend you, I just didn’t see that one coming’’ she answered with a warm smile.

‘’ Alright. How can I help you?’’

‘’I’m looking for the Neuro station’’ answered Daphne looking around the hospital.

‘’Oh, you have any problems? I can page doctor Zabini’’

‘’ Oh, no’’ she said with a laugh ‘’I don’t have any problems dear, I’m just looking for my new work station. Today is my first work day here.’’ she said casually.

‘’ Oh, wow. Okay’’ Hermione blinked surprised.

‘’ Could you show me the way to the elevator?’’ Daphne asked politely.

‘’Sure’’

Hermione stood up and walked Daphne to the elevator.

‘’So head of Neuro is doctor Zabini’’

‘’I'm aware that my husband is head of neuro here.’’ said Daphne with a smile.

‘’Your what?’’ asked Hermione with shock in her face.

‘’Yes, Blaise is my husband, is that a problem?’’ came Daphnes voice now sounding a little sharp.

‘’No, I’m sorry’’ said Hermione smiling ‘’I just didn’t see that one coming, I barely see Blaise, we talked maybe two times’’

Daphne just smiled.

They came to the elevator and Hermione said.

‘’ Welcome on board Daphne, it was nice to see you.’’

‘’Thank you Granger, it was nice to see you too’’

And with that Daphne stepped in the elevator and disappeared.

________________________________________________________________________

Hermione sat back at the nurse station studying some case when she saw Ginny nearing the nurse station.

‘’Good morning, how did you sleep?’’ asked Ginny with a smile on her face, while looking into the charts.

‘’Good and you?’’

‘’Oh, wonderful, I slept like a baby, no tequila date yesterday’’ said Ginny with a grin on her face.

Hermione remembered her conversation with Theo and decided she needed to come clean to Ginny about what happened with Draco.

‘’Ginny can we have lunch together later? I need to talk to you’’ said Hermione looking at her

‘’Yes of course, but did something happen?’’ asked Ginny with worry in her face.

‘’No, don’t worry’’ said Hermione with a calm face.

‘’Okay, I will find you later.’’

From the end of the hallway they saw Theodore Nott nearing them.

‘’Hello ladies’’ came his happy voice.

‘’Nott’’ said Ginny with a smirk on her face.

Hermione said nothing just smiled at him.

In that moment the nurse came over ‘’Doctor Granger, you’ll be on Neuro today, they have a case and they want you to consult with you.’’

‘’Okay, thank you’’ said Hermione and made her way to the stairs.

She’s not going to use the elevator.

__________________________________________________________
Ginny leaned against the nurses’ station, skimming through patient notes while sipping the hospital’s questionable coffee.
Across the corridor, Theo was scrolling through a tablet, looking suspiciously relaxed.
Ginny eyed him.
“You look bored.”
Theo glanced up.
“I always look bored”
Ginny snorted.
Before she could respond, a nurse approached them.
“Dr. Weasley, Dr. Nott — exam room four.”
Ginny pushed away from the desk.
“What’s the situation?”
“Kitchen accident,” the nurse said. “Nothing major. Cut hand.”
Theo nodded.
She pushed open the exam room door.
A middle-aged woman sat on the exam bed, holding a towel around her hand.
Her husband stood nearby looking slightly pale.
Ginny stepped forward immediately.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Weasley. Let’s take a look.”
The woman carefully moved the towel.
A clean but fairly deep cut across her palm was visible.
Theo leaned against the counter.
“Knife?”
The woman nodded sheepishly.
“I was cutting vegetables.”
Ginny smiled reassuringly.
“That happens more often than you’d think.”
Theo glanced at the husband.
She examined the wound carefully.
“Alright. It’s a bit deep, but nothing serious.”
Theo checked the chart.
“No nerve damage.”
“Good,” Ginny said.
She prepared the suturing kit while Theo helped clean the wound.
The woman winced slightly.
“Sorry,” Ginny said gently. “Almost done.”
Theo handed her the needle holder.
“You’re very calm about this,” he said to the patient.
The woman laughed nervously.
“I’m trying not to look.”
Ginny worked quickly and carefully.
A few neat stitches later, she tied the final knot.
“And we’re done.”
The patient visibly relaxed.
“That wasn’t so bad.”
Theo handed her fresh bandages.
“Just keep it clean and dry for a few days.”
Ginny nodded.
“And try not to wrestle any vegetables.”
The woman laughed as they finished the paperwork.
A few minutes later, the patient and her husband left the room.

Ginny washed her hands at the sink.
“Well,” she said. “A perfectly normal injury.”
Theo leaned against the wall.
“I almost miss the chaos.”
Ginny turned.
“Do not summon chaos.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
They stepped back into the hallway together.
They walked a few steps.
Then Theo said casually,
“So.”
Ginny glanced at him.
“So?”
“What are you doing today after your shift?”
Ginny slowed slightly.
“That depends.”
“On?”
“Why are you asking?”
Theo stopped walking.
Ginny noticed and turned back toward him.
He looked oddly serious now.
“I was thinking,” he said.
Ginny crossed her arms.
“That’s usually where trouble starts.”
Theo ignored the comment.
“I was thinking maybe you’d like to go out with me.”
Ginny blinked.
“Go out?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head.
“You mean coffee?”
“No.”
Theo held her gaze.
“I mean a date.”
For a moment Ginny just stared at him.
Then a small smile appeared.
“A date.”
“Yes.”
Ginny pretended to consider it.
“With you?”
Theo sighed.
“I’m beginning to regret this.”
She laughed softly.
“You absolutely are not.”
“Possibly.”
Ginny tapped her finger thoughtfully against her arm.
“Hm.”
Theo waited.
Finally she said,
“Well… I suppose I could tolerate one evening with you.”
Theo raised an eyebrow.
“That’s your romantic answer?”
“It’s honest.”
He nodded.
“I’ll take it.”
Ginny smirked.
“But if you’re boring, I’m leaving.”
“Fair.”
“And if you mention tequila—”
Theo laughed.
“I won’t.”
She nodded once.
“Alright then.”
Theo looked pleased despite himself.
“That’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes.”
Ginny turned and started walking again down the corridor.
Theo smiled.
“Today then.”
Ginny nodded.
“Today.”
And for once, neither of them rushed ahead of the other as they walked back to work.

________________________________________________________________________

Hermione was looking over the scan with Daphne and Blaise.
The scan belonged to a young woman. It was her brain and inside she saw a butterfly. She knew what that was. Of course. She stood frozen and studied it.
‘’What do you think Hermione?’’ came Daphne's voice.
For a moment Hermione hesitated and then said ‘’That we should operate.’’ came Hermione's voice, almost a whisper.
‘’NO, absolutely not, operating could destroy her brain’’ said Blaise with a firm voice, eyes dark.
‘’I also think we should do that. That’s why I called you.’’ said Daphne with a smile.’’
‘’It could give her a chance’’ said Hermione with a blank face.
‘’No, Daphne, I told you, we’re not going to do that.’’ said Blaise with angry in his voice.
‘’Blaise, please. It’s a young girl.’’ said Daphne with pleading eyes.
Blaise stood still for a moment, not saying anything and then said ‘’Page Malfoy, Nott and even Weasley, tell them we’re going for the surgery after lunch’’ said Blaise, his face firm.
‘’Thank you love’’ said Daphne with a smile.

_________________________________________________________________________

It was almost noon and Hermione went for lunch. She thought about the surgery, she was a little scared, but she wanted to help the woman, give her a chance.
As she walked she saw Ginny coming her way.
‘’Ready for lunch love?’’ shouted Ginny smiling.
‘’Yes let’s go’’
They grabbed lunch and decided to eat it on the rooftop.
As they sat outside and watched the city from above Hermione hesitated for a moment.
‘’Ginny I have to tell you something’’ said Hermione while looking at her.
‘’Go on’’ said Ginny a little worried
‘’ The night I came back, and you went home I went to bar’’ she looked carefully at Ginny, Ginny’s face was now fully fixed on her ‘’And I bumped into Malfoy, and we…I.. we got drunk, slept together, I-I promise I didn’t know we’ll be working together. choked Hermione out ‘’And then, we kissed in the elevator, and yesterday we had a fight, he told me to go home, because my boyfriend is probably waiting for me’’ Hermione choked out, scared to look at Ginny.
‘’Hermione, look at me’’
Hermione looked at her.
Ginny looked calm, almost happy?
‘’ How was the sex?’’ she asked with a grin on her face and Hermione almost choked on her water.
‘’Ginny!’’ she slapped her arm.
‘’Hermione, there is nothing wrong with that. Yes he treated you like shit in school, but that is really a long time ago, and it’s your life. Do you regret it?’’
Hermione hesitated for a moment ‘’No, I don’t. It’s just. The kiss, and the argument, I think he may be jealous, and I don’t know, it was just a kiss a’’ but Ginny cut her off.
‘’Don’t say mistake.’’ said Ginny eyes on her.
‘’No, I don’t know.’’
‘’I think you should talk. Tell him you want to talk, and let’s see what happens. Even if it ends badly, you’re professionals.’’ said Ginny with a calm voice.
‘’You’re right’’ said Hermione while poking her food.
‘’Theo asked me out’’ said Ginny while smiling
‘’WHAT?’’ said Hermione smiling
‘’Yes this morning. We have date this evening.’’
‘’Ginny that’s great, I’m so happy.’’ said Hermione while placing her hand over Ginny’s.
‘’Yes, me too.’’ said Ginny while smiling at her.
‘’Did you know, Daphne and Blaise are married, and that she works here and is also a Neuro surgeon?’’ said Hermione
‘’What? Oh, that explains why she’s doing surgery with us.’’ said Ginny with a grin on her face
‘’Oh the surgery, I’m a little scared.’’
‘’Me too, but everything is going to be okay.’’ said Ginny while holding her hand.
_______________________________________________________________

Hermione walked quickly down the hallway, the tablet in her hand forgotten.
She knew exactly where she was going. She wanted to see him before the surgery and talk to him.
The surgical changing room door was slightly open.
She pushed it wider.
Inside, Draco stood in front of the lockers, already halfway into his surgical scrubs.
He noticed her immediately in the mirror.
“Granger.”
Hermione stepped inside and shut the door behind her.
“We need to talk.”
Draco didn’t turn around.
“I’m preparing for surgery.”
“So am I.”
He finished tying the string of his scrub pants before finally turning to face her.
His expression was cold.
“Then you should probably review the scans instead of interrupting me.”
Hermione crossed her arms.
“You’ve been acting like an absolute child yesterday.”
Draco’s jaw tightened.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.”
Hermione stepped closer.
“You’ve barely spoken to me except to make passive aggressive comments about my personal life.”
Draco laughed once, humorless.
“Personal life?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting choice of words.”
Hermione frowned.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Draco leaned back against the locker.
“Nothing.”
“Oh no,” Hermione said sharply. “You don’t get to do that.”
“Do what?”
“Act like this and pretend there isn’t a reason.”
Draco shrugged.
“Perhaps you’re imagining things.”
Hermione stared at him.
“Malfoy.”
“Yes?”
“You told me to go home to my boyfriend.”
“And?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
Draco gave a small, unimpressed nod.
“Of course.”
Hermione felt her temper snap.
“Merlin, you are insufferable.”
Draco’s eyes narrowed.
“And you’re very defensive.”
“Because you’re accusing me of something ridiculous!”
Draco pushed away from the locker.
“Am I?”
“Yes!”
“You said you had company yesterday up in the elevator.”
“It was Harry!!”
Draco stilled.
Hermione took a breath, anger boiling over now.
“Yes, Harry Potter. My friend. The one I was always friends with!”
Draco said nothing.
Hermione continued, voice sharp.
“It was the first time I’d seen him in eight years.”
Draco blinked.
Hermione shook her head in disbelief.
“We had dinner. As friends. That’s it.”
The room fell silent.
Draco’s anger faltered slightly.
Eight years.
Hermione exhaled sharply.
“And honestly, the fact that you created something in your head is absurd. You didn’t even let me explain it, hell I don’t even know, why I’m explaining it now’”
Draco opened his mouth—
But Hermione was already stepping back.
Her expression hardened.
“You know what? Forget it.”
She turned toward the door.
“Granger—”
Hermione stopped him before he could continue.
“No.”
Her voice was quieter now.
Controlled.
“That kiss was a mistake, and so was the night we spent together..”
Draco froze.
Hermione kept her back to him.
“It shouldn’t have happened.”
The words hung in the air.
“We work together,” she said.
“That’s all.”
Draco didn’t move.
Hermione opened the door.
“So from now on,” she finished, “we’re just colleagues.”
Then she walked out.
The door closed behind her.
The silence in the changing room felt heavy.
Draco stood there for a moment, staring at the floor.
The argument replayed in his head.
Just Potter.
Colleagues.
His jaw clenched.
Suddenly he turned and slammed his fist into the metal locker.
The locker door dented inward.
Draco breathed heavily for a moment.
Then muttered to himself,
“Brilliant.”
He grabbed his surgical cap from the bench.
And walked out toward the operating theatre.
____________________________________________________________

The operating theatre was already full when Hermione walked in.
This was not a simple surgery.
The MRI scans had confirmed it: a rare brain tumor buried deep between critical neural pathways, dangerously close to areas controlling speech and movement.
A mistake of a few millimeters could destroy the patient’s ability to walk. Or speak. Or worse.
Hermione pulled on her gloves, focusing on the routine.
Across the room, Daphne was studying the scans on a screen. As the hospital’s lead neurosurgeon, she would guide the most delicate part of the procedure.Beside her stood Blaise as the hospital’s lead neurosurgeon, he would guide the most delicate part of the procedure.

Theo leaned against the counter, already scrubbed in, while Ginny finished adjusting one of the monitors.
Draco entered last.
Hermione felt it immediately.
He moved to the other side of the table, pulling on his gloves without looking at her.
Strictly professional.
Colleagues.
Exactly what she had said earlier.
Daphne clapped her hands lightly.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s begin.”

The first hours passed in intense silence.
Scalpel.
Suction.
Clamp.
Hermione worked steadily alongside Daphne while Blaise assisted with the vascular structures surrounding the tumor.
Theo monitored neurological responses while Ginny handled the patient’s vitals.
Draco stood at the cardiac monitors, watching the patient’s heart rhythm with laser focus.
Every few minutes someone called out a number.
“Blood pressure stable.”
“Pulse normal.”
“Good.”
Slowly, carefully, Daphne and Blaise began isolating the tumor.
“Millimeter by millimeter,” Blaise murmured.
The room barely breathed.
Hermione held the suction steady while Daphne worked.
Three hours passed.
Then four.
Five.
At hour six, Theo leaned closer.
“Granger,” he said quietly, “you should take a break.”
Hermione didn’t look up.
“I’m fine.”
Ginny glanced over.
“You’ve been standing there since we started.”
“I said I’m fine.”
Daphne didn’t look away from the microscope.
“Five minutes, Hermione.”
“No.”
Daphne sighed.
“You won’t be useful if you collapse.”
Hermione kept working.
“I’m not collapsing.”
Across the table Draco said nothing.
But his eyes flicked toward her briefly.
Her movements were still precise.
Still controlled.
But there was a faint paleness to her face.
The surgery continued.
Seven hours.
Eight.
The tumor was finally almost free.
Daphne carefully lifted another section.
“Almost there,” she murmured.
Hermione’s hands felt heavier now.
Her vision blurred for a moment.
She blinked.
Focused.
Just a little longer.
Ginny glanced at the clock.
“Nine hours.”
Theo shifted slightly.
“That’s enough. Hermione—”
Hermione shook her head.
“Don’t.”
Daphne worked carefully.
“Final separation.”
The room was silent except for the monitors.
Hermione reached for another instrument.
But suddenly—
The lights seemed too bright.
The room tilted.
Her grip loosened.
Draco noticed first.
“Granger—”
Before anyone could react, Hermione swayed.
And collapsed.
Theo barely caught the instrument before it fell.
Ginny gasped.
“Hermione!”
Draco moved instantly.
He was already at her side as she hit the floor.
“Move,” he snapped.
Theo stepped back while Draco checked her pulse.
“It’s there,” Draco said quickly.
Ginny knelt beside them.
“Blood pressure?”
“Low.”
Daphne didn’t look away from the surgical field.
“Finish the resection,” she said calmly to Blaise.
“We’ve come too far to stop.”
Blaise nodded.
Theo stepped in to assist.
Meanwhile Draco lifted Hermione slightly so her head rested against his arm.
“Granger,” he said sharply. “Wake up.”
No response.
Ginny grabbed a small light and checked her pupils.
“Probably exhaustion.”
Draco’s jaw clenched.
“She’s been standing for nine hours.”
Ginny looked at him.
“I told her to take a break.”
Draco said nothing.
His grip on her shoulder tightened slightly.
Then Hermione stirred.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Relief flashed across Draco’s face before he could hide it.
Hermione blinked slowly.
“What happened?”
“You fainted,” Ginny said gently.
Hermione frowned.
“That’s… inconvenient.”
Theo snorted from the surgical table.
Draco didn’t laugh.
Instead he said quietly,
“You’re done.”
Hermione tried to sit up.
“No— the surgery—”
Daphne’s voice came calmly from the table.
“It’s under control.”
Hermione looked toward the operating field.
Blaise and Theo were finishing the final steps.
The tumor lay in a surgical tray.
Removed.
Hermione exhaled.
Draco helped her sit up against the wall.
“You should have taken a break.”
Hermione rubbed her temple weakly.
“I didn’t want to lose momentum.”
Draco shook his head slightly.
“Idiot.”
But the word sounded far more relieved than angry.
Across the room Daphne finally stepped back.
“Tumor removed,” she announced.
The tension in the operating room finally broke.
Ginny smiled.
“Patient stable.”
Theo glanced over.
“Next time, Granger, take the break.”
Hermione gave a weak smile.
“Noted.”
Draco helped her to her feet.
Hermione left the OR leaving them behind, Draco watching her walking away.

 

__________________________________________________________________________

Hermione was the first to leave the operating room.
She said she was fine — that she just needed a moment — but no one had really believed her.
Still, she pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway before anyone could argue further.
She leaned briefly against the wall, breathing slowly until the dizziness fully faded.
Then she walked away toward the staff corridor.

Back inside the operating theatre, the tension slowly began to dissolve.
Theo removed his gloves and stretched his stiff shoulders.
“Nine hours,” he muttered. “That has to be some kind of punishment.”
Ginny finished adjusting the patient monitors.
“Patient’s stable,” she said with relief.
Daphne Greengrass carefully removed her surgical cap.
“Excellent work, everyone.”
Blaise glanced at the surgical tray where the tumor now rested.
“Rare case,” he said.
“Very,” Daphne agreed.
Theo glanced toward the door Hermione had disappeared through.
“She pushed herself too hard.”
Ginny nodded.
“She always does.”
Draco didn’t say anything.
He was still standing near the monitors, staring at the door.
Theo noticed.
But wisely chose not to comment.
Instead he pulled off his gloves.
“Well,” he said lightly, “I’m officially done for the day.”
Ginny raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Theo looked at her.
“I believe someone agreed to a date tonight.”
Ginny smiled faintly.
“Right.”
Daphne slipped her arm through Blaise’s.
“We’re going home before another emergency appears.”
Blaise nodded.
“Very wise.”
They both headed for the door.
Theo and Ginny lingered a moment longer.
Ginny pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message.
Ginny: Are you okay? Do you need me to stay with you tonight?
The reply came a minute later.
Hermione: I’m fine. Go on your date.
Ginny smiled slightly.
“She says she’s fine.”
Theo nodded.
“Good.”
Ginny tucked her phone away.
“Alright then, Nott.”
Theo gestured toward the exit.
“After you.”
And the two of them left the operating wing together.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Draco stayed.
The hospital slowly grew quieter as the evening deepened into night.
A few nurses passed through the corridors, and distant machines beeped softly in patient rooms.
Draco reviewed charts for the night shift, but his mind kept drifting back to the operating room.
Hermione collapsing.
Her pale face.
The way she still insisted she was fine.
He exhaled slowly and rubbed the back of his neck.
After several hours, exhaustion finally caught up with him.
He decided to take a short break.
He went to the on-call room down the hall.
Draco pushed the door open.
Then stopped.
Hermione was there.
She was lying on the small couch with a blanket half draped over her, reading something on her tablet.
She looked up when the door opened.
“Oh.”
Draco’s expression hardened immediately.
“You’re still here.”
Hermione sat up slightly.
“I’m on call tomorrow morning.”
“You fainted nine hours into surgery.”
“I recovered.”
“You should have gone home.”
Hermione frowned.
“I’m fine.”
Draco stepped further into the room.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Hermione closed the tablet.
“And you’re overreacting.”
“You collapsed.”
“For thirty seconds.”
“That’s not the point.”
Hermione crossed her arms.
“You don’t get to lecture me about working too hard.”
Draco stared at her.
“At least I know when to stop.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
Hermione scoffed.
“That’s rich coming from someone who stayed for the night shift.”
Draco clenched his jaw.
“That’s different.”
“How?”
Draco didn’t answer.
The tension filled the small room.
Finally Hermione sighed.
“Malfoy…”
Draco looked away briefly.
Then muttered,
“I was worried.”
Hermione blinked.
That had not been the response she expected.
Draco ran a hand through his hair.
“And I’ve been an idiot.”
Hermione watched him carefully.
Draco leaned against the wall.
“I thought you had a boyfriend.”
Hermione sighed softly.
“I told you I don’t”
“I know.”
A pause.
Draco exhaled slowly.
“I was jealous.”
Hermione tilted her head slightly.
“That was obvious.”
Draco huffed quietly.
“Not my finest moment.”
Hermione softened a little.
The anger from earlier had faded now, leaving only tired honesty.
She leaned back against the couch.
“I don’t even know what this is,” she admitted quietly.
Draco looked at her.
“Neither do I.”
The room was quiet.
Then Draco stepped closer.
“We don’t have to figure it out immediately.”
Hermione frowned slightly.
“What do you mean?”
Draco shrugged lightly.
“We take it slow.”
Hermione waited.
“We spend time together,” he continued.
“Sometimes at your flat. Sometimes at mine.”
“And?”
Draco met her eyes.
“For now… we don’t define it.”
Hermione studied him.
“No labels.”
“Not yet.”
She considered that.
Then she nodded slowly.
“Alright.”
Draco stepped even closer now.
They were only a few inches apart.
Hermione’s heart started beating faster.
Draco lifted a hand, hesitating briefly before brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.
“You should still rest,” he said quietly.
Hermione smiled faintly.
“Bossy.”
“Concerned.”
Hermione looked up at him.
Then she said softly,
“Malfoy…”
Draco didn’t answer.
Instead he leaned down and kissed her.
This time slower.
Gentler.
Hermione’s hand moved to the front of his scrub shirt, pulling him closer.
When they finally pulled apart, Draco rested his forehead briefly against hers.
“Definitely not colleagues,” he murmured.
Hermione laughed softly.
“No.”
And this time, neither of them tried to pretend otherwise.

 

Chapter ends here

Hello guys!! So i have already 4 more chapters written on my computer! My head is full of ideas! Also I would like to dedicate this chapter to my friend Angelica, who was the first one to comment on my fic. She then wrote me, and telling me I was brave to post this fic, even if english is not my first language. <3 Thank you.

Next chapter - Ginny and Theo have their date, but after that Ginny loses her temper in the hospital. Draco and Hermione are having a chat at her flat. And maybe... They do more than talking.

If you like this story, leave a comment. If you see mistakes, text me. Love you guys <3 thank you