The Importance of Remembrance
A Dramione
Disclaimer: I do not own: Harry Potter (thank goodness), Hermione, or Draco (sadly), nor do I own any other characters you may recognize. If they are ooc, it's because this is my first time writing them and have read some good, bad and ugly versions of these characters.
Prologue
It was the day after Graduation from Hogwarts. The Minister of Magic, Shacklebolt, and Headmistress McGonagal, had decided that since the war had so interrupted everyone's schooling, that they would be held back a year, but let the next set in as well. This is why our heroes and villains had the honor (or shame) of having the first ever eighth year certificate.
"I can't believe you talked me into this Luna!" Hermione Granger was dressed in a simple white dress in the hallway of one of the many chapels in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her best friends, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, and her fiancé's good friend (that was well on the way to becoming hers as well) Pansy Parkinson, were standing in the dresses they wore to the Yule ball this year.
Luna dreamily replied to the frantic bride, "Hermione, you know that you can't turn down a bet, and there won't be any reporters here. Our parents don't even know where we are."
Hermione was finally marrying her former enemy. She and Draco had been dating since the fourth month of the term. All the friends agreed that Professor Snape set them up. She was more nervous now than when she was trying to pass her N. E. W. T. s. The doors opened and she heard Blaise Zabini's choice for the processional, Coldplay's Now My Feet Won't Touch the Ground. Well, it could always be worse; it could have been Darth Vader's Death March, or Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.
Draco saw his bride coming down the aisle. He might never admit it, and especially not to Hermione, but he was glad that they weren't having a big to-do wedding. He didn't want to share this day with the public. His Mini (he couldn't call her Mione because that's what her ex Ron called her) was stunning. Her white sheath dress fit her perfectly, a belt of woven sashes from her bridesmaid's dresses showed off her lovely waist, and she was shoeless. That probably drove Pansy, the shoe addict, crazy.
Hermione looked up at Draco and smiled. He looked so happy. And he was dressed nicely too. Blaise must have had something to do with it; there wasn't a spot of green on him, nor was there any red. He was wearing a black and white muggle tux. His hair was cut shorter than any other time in his life and just looked slightly messy. Again that had a touch of Blaise (Draco would have wanted it slicked back).
She made it to the front of the chapel. Elvis was standing to the right of Draco. She nearly lost it. She was giving up her dream wedding so that she and Draco could win a stupid bet made by their stupid friends to win a few stupid galleons.
Draco raised his eyebrows as his bride arrived and stood to the left of Elvis. She was having a mental rant; probably about the fact Elvis was marrying them. As soon as he could, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She looked up at him and mouthed, "Sorry."
"Dearly beloved, we are a gathered here today to join this man to this woman. Now uh, Dray-co: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, protect, and stay true to Her-my-knee and to never let the sun go down without a fight between the two of you unresolved?" Elvis drawled.
Harry winked at Ginny; they got to write the vows. Though Elvis certainly didn't know it, he was saying the incantation to a modified version of the Unbreakable Vow. Harry pulled just the tip of his wand out of the sleeve of his tux and started the minute, intricate pattern.
"I so promise." Draco's voice rang clear with triumph.
"Good. Her-my-knee: Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, protect and stay true to Dray-co and to never let the sun go down without a fight between the two of you unresolved?" Elvis had never had more unusual names.
Hermione looked Draco directly into his eyes. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she barely managed to say, "I so promise."
"Very Good. You may now kiss your wife."
They proceeded to share a very chaste kiss, knowing that the present company wouldn't appreciate more. When they separated Elvis announced, "By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you man and wife. I have the honor to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Dray-co Mal-foy!" He did the classic Elvis hip shake.
Draco smirked. He probably should have just held Hermione's hand, but where would be the fun in that? He grabbed her up and carried her bridal style out the chapel. Their friends followed behind them laughing.
(Later that day)
Somehow, someway, the Malfoys and the Weasleys had heard about the wedding, and planned a surprise wedding reception. Everyone who had ever played a big part in either of the newly wedded couple's lives was there. All in all, there were about three hundred people there. The Minister of Magic, all the staff from Hogwarts, most of the Aurors, fellow students and former students. People that they didn't even know they knew were present.
Draco and Hermione were passed from embrace to embrace, with Draco slowly becoming more accustomed to the concept. When they reached the Weasleys, the eldest five (Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George) surrounded Draco after group hugging Hermione. Draco tried to back away but, like I said, he was surrounded.
As he backed up, Draco hit Charlie's chest. He gulped. "So nice of you to come. I know Mini really appreciates it."
"Now Draco," Bill started, clapping the young groom's shoulder.
"We know that you have been," Charlie continued, repeating his brother's gesture adding a shove towards Percy.
"Somewhat the unpleasant prick during the Hogwarts years," Percy punched the right shoulder while finishing the sentence.
"So we are giving you a warning." Fred punched the left shoulder sending him to George.
"Hurt Hermione," George started. His brothers moved in so that Draco had nowhere to run.
With the world's most menacing faces known to man, the Weasley twins said together, "You will wish that Tom Riddle was still around to protect you from us."
Draco tried to shrink into himself. If one thing was scary, it was the combined forces of the Weasley brothers, and Ron wasn't even with them. He looked around and caught Hermione's eye. She laughed and came over.
"What do you think you lot are doing to my husband?" Hermione asked seemingly very serious.
Fred wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Just giving him incentive to treat you like the Gryffindor Princess you are."
Hermione just shook her head and stepped out of his grasp. She grabbed Draco's hand and led him closer to the cake.
"We still have to see your parents Drae."
Draco looked at his lovely wife and apologized with his eyes. He knew that his father would be furious, though he would welcome the time out of Azkaban, and his mother was pleased with the new development. She could see her family name being restored to its "proper place in society."
As the younger Malfoys approached the elder Malfoys, Hermione's hand grasped Draco's harder and harder and harder. Draco squeezed back hopefully reassuringly.
"Draco! Hermione! The two of you look so cute together! Oh Hermione dear, give me a hug," Narcissa Malfoy said pulling the started girl into a tight hug.
"Okaay Mrs. Malfoy." Hermione hesitantly wrapped her arms around the older woman.
"Oh, none of that now. Mrs. Malfoy was my mother-in-law and she was so insufferable," Narcissa turned to Lucius. "No offense dear," she turned back to Hermione. "Please call me Narcissa, or Cissa, or Cissy. It doesn't matter which. Oh, after the honeymoon we must simply go shopping together. Nothing induces female bonding like searching the racks for just the right dress robes. Or we could custom order robes and shoes and brooms, though it is very hard to ride a broom lady like, and we can go to my book club together—"
"Mother! I thought we discussed how many glasses of wine you can have at parties! Forgive her, she talks more when she gets tipsy," Draco interrupted his mother's rambling and glared at her.
"Draco," Lucius drawled, "you should not reprimand your mother that way." The elder man completely ignored the brown-haired, brown-eyed beauty standing next to his son.
"If you would, I wouldn't have to," Draco murmured. "Father, I would like to introduce you to my wife. This is Hermione Granger Malfoy. Mini, this is my father, Lucius Malfoy. Forgive him if he is bitter, I've heard that tends to happen with old age."
Hermione, remembering the etiquette her parents taught her, stuck out her hand to her former enemy. Lucius also remembering the etiquette his parents taught him totally ignored the girl. She was not a pureblood nor even a half-blood, so she didn't exist in his mind unless he got to torture her.
"It is nice to see you again sir. I hope you enjoy your time here." Hermione's parents obviously were better teachers of etiquette.
"If the new Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy would come to the dance floor, it is time for the first dance!" Lee Jordan, acting as DJ, announced.
"It's been a blast Parents, but duty calls," Draco pulled Hermione away from his parents towards the middle of the room. Neither of them knew what song would be their first song, they just hoped that Blaise was left out of that decision.
Hermione stretched as she woke, feeling ever so slightly sore. She was in one of the most comfortable beds she on which she had ever slept. The size of the bed had her confused. It was incredibly large, almost like a California King and a half. And the room! It was ginormous! The closest wall was above her head and the color was probably called horrible hotel honey. The room had to have been twice the size of the Gryffindor common room.
But what happened last night? Why was she here? Where was here? During her self-interrogation, she pulled the covers back and saw her pajamas. Or rather her lack thereof. Why was she not wearing any clothes?!?
Jumping out of bed, Hermione grabbed the first item of clothing she found and dressed quickly. There was no sign of anyone else in the room; or that there ever had been. She didn't recognize any of the clothes in the room, but they were the right size. She grabbed her wand and with a slight pop, she was out of there.
The memory kept plaguing her. It had been three months since she woke up in the strange hotel. She had apparated an unknown distance and managed not to splinch herself. Hermione made her way downstairs for breakfast wondering if she would be able to keep it down.
Lately, everything she ate was forcefully removed from herself within two hours. Molly Weasley repeatedly told her that if she doesn't stop, she will be taken to St. Mungo's and they will figure this out. Hermione was hesitant about this because she did not like hospitals. At all.
Ron met her at the bottom of the stairs. They had been dating since the end of the war, so for the past year. "Good morning 'Mione. How are you feeling today?" Ron said hugging his girl.
"I'm fine, for now. What did your mum make?" Hermione hugged him back.
"Waffles with elderberry syrup."
Hermione's face turned rather puce then she ran to the nearest container. Dutifully, Ron followed her and called for his mother.
Molly was worried about her girl. With Ginny back at Hogwarts, Hermione was the only other girl in the house, and she had been sick the majority of the time.
"Hermione, I know you don't want to go, but I can't think of anything else to do. You are so sick so much of the time." Molly patted the girl on her back handing her a wet wash cloth.
Hermione washed her face off with the rag and leaned into Ron. She had no energy any more. "Not today Molly. I don't want to go today. Let me wait until tomorrow if it persists, I'll go. Please Molly." Hermione looked so miserable it was hard to decide what to do.
"'Mione, you have been sick every meal for the last month. Something is wrong, you need to go to the healers," Ron didn't want her to look so weak anymore; it nearly broke his heart.
"I heard you made pancakes Molly, maybe I can keep down a small one, with no syrup." Hermione slowly rose to her feet and made it to the kitchen.
The day progressed with Ron and Molly watching Hermione like hawks. That night Bill, Fleur, Victorie, Percy, Penelope, George, and Angelina came for supper. They could tell that tensions were very high. Arthur and George were being their jovial selves, but everyone else was on edge.
Hermione was sitting on the floor playing with her "niece". Little Victorie was two and loved coming to the "Bowo," and loved playing with "Aun Mi."
"Aun Mi, I wanna fwy. Wiw you fwy me?" Victorie's eyes grew to impossible roundness as she begged her aunt.
Laughing, Hermione stood up and bent to pick her niece up. Only, she didn't stop. When she stood she felt slightly light-headed, but didn't think much about it. As she bent over, the world went black.
Everyone rushed to her side. Ron swept Victorie out of the way, Angelina caught Hermione a second before she hit the ground, and Molly checked her pulse.
"Accio Wand!" Once the wand was in her hand, Molly levitated Hermione to the fireplace. With a burst of green smoke, they were at St. Mungo's.
(the next day)
"Miss Granger. Miss Graaangeeer. You need to wake up dear. Everyone is waiting for you. Waaaake uuuup." An annoying voice was saying. She didn't want to wake up. She was sleeping rather well, thank you very much. It was not very nice of them to try to wake her. She tried to roll onto her stomach, but couldn't; wires were in the way.
"I'm sorry Miss Granger, but I need you to wake up. We have some important information for you." SHUT UP ANNOYING VOICE IN MY HEAD!
A hand touched her shoulder. It was a dainty hand, a cold dainty annoying hand that was shaking her trying to force her awake.
"Hermione Jean Granger! If you don't wake up I'm telling everyone what really happened second year when you were in the infirmary," That voice was just as annoying, but she could identify it. Ginny. Like she even knew what happened second year. Hermione was too annoyed now to fall back into the deep slumber she was enjoying.
Slowly she opened her eyes. "What is so freaking important that you are waking me up?!" Everyone in the Weasley family was there. And Harry. He stood beside her bed.
"We were so worried about you 'Mione. You passed out and almost landed on Lil' Vic," Harry told her pushing the hair out of her eyes.
The healer turned to the family, looking directly at Molly, who was obviously in charge. "There is some information that I need to give Ms. Granger privately. Since you aren't related, I am required to ask you to leave."
Molly was furious. "Not related? NOT RELATED? She is as much my child as if I gave birth to her. So you forget this talk about us leaving right this second."
This healer (whom had yet to introduce herself) looked unafraid of Molly—who even the Dark Lord was slightly afraid of. She looked at Molly with great patience. "I'm sorry but rules are rules. After I tell Ms. Granger the news, I'll let you back in and if she wants to tell you she can. But by law I can't tell her with you in here."
"Of all the—this is utterly ridiculous! If she wants us in here could you then?" Molly looked as if one of her children had gone missing.
"If you had signed wavers, but those take three days to process," the healer said with no compassion in her voice.
"Molly, it is fine. Just let her tell me, then I will tell you lot when she's done. I don't think I need to wait three days to find out what is wrong…" Hermione interrupted and trailed off feeling extremely tired.
"Okay dear, if that's what you want." Molly stood and shooed everyone out of the room, shooting a death glare at the healer.
While they were leaving, Hermione looked around the room. It was much better than the average hospital room. There were big cushioned chairs on one wall that looked extremely comfortable, the bed was plusher than the one she slept on at Hogwarts, and the paintings on the walls were of mothers taking care of little babies. The babies would fuss and the mothers would rest them on their shoulders and bounce up and down. One of the mothers looked at her child, sniffed, and stalked out of the frame into the one with a changing table to change the stinking little tyke.
"hckhumm. Ms. Granger, I have some good news and possibly bad news," the healer attracted the attention of the distracted girl.
"Yes?" Hermione was confused, if it were only possibly bad, why would she send the Weasleys out?
"I'm Head-Healer-of-the-maternity-ward Lambert. When you were brought in last night, we ran the full gambit of tests to figure out why you have been sick for three months. Ms. Granger, you are pregnant." Healer Lambert announced.
Pregnant? How could that be? "How can I be pregnant? Tha-tha- That is impossible! The test is wrong!" Hermione exclaimed with enough force to shake the bed.
"I did the test myself. Part of the admissions into the hospital, is to check the records given with the records the Ministry has. We found something even more mind boggling," the healer paused.
"What?! What could be more mind boggling than the fact that I'm pregnant?! I have never had sex!"
"Ms. M-Granger," Healer Lambert stumbled over the name. "If you continue to shout like that it could be harmful for your child. The records with the Ministry listed you as married."
"Now I know your lying to me! A girl would remember if she got married." Hermione was fuming. She hated when someone lied to her.
Healer Lambert turned and pulled a file out of the container on the wall beside the sink. After flipping through it a bit, she removed a certificate.
"Did you know that the Ministry keeps copies of every official document? Here is your Certificate of Marriage."
Hermione grasped the document and read it. She read it five times before the words became real. No, there is no way. Oh bloody!
"I would like to speak to my family now. Please." Hermione hated how her voice shook.
"I'll go get them." Healer Lambert left the room leaving Hermione alone.
The young girl felt younger than she ever felt in her life. She was pregnant. Not only was she pregnant, she was also married. Married not to the boy of her dreams, but to the boy that still haunted her nightmares.
(Four months later)
"Hermione I'm telling you they have the right to know! Think of your child! Do you want her to grow up never knowing any grandparents?" Luna blocked the kitchen doorway as Hermione tried to leave the room. Granted, all she had to do was push the slighter girl with an enormous belly, but that would risk harming her child.
"Luna! For the last time, I am not telling the Malfoys about this baby! It is my choice! If their son doesn't want to know, they don't!" Hermione yelled back. For the past four months since the Weasleys kicked Hermione out of their home and she moved in with Luna, the bright-eyed girl had been plaguing Hermione with the matter. Hermione, you need more help than I can give you; don't you think they deserve to know; your child would be the heir to the Malfoy fortune, how about that for not liking Muggle-borns?
"Your parents are safe, healthy and hale in Australia, the Weasleys abandoned you, and the only option you have left is the Malfoys! You are meeting them at the Bats 'n' Bagels at eleven o'clock. I'll drop you off there." Luna announced. Hermione was standing there in shock. "It's ten thirty now, you better grab the paperwork and get dressed!"
Hermione hurried to her room and quickly changed into her nicest maternity top and put on some jeans. The legal paperwork was in a file right beside the bed so she could find it at all times. It had the Certificate of Marriage and the official report that Hermione was pregnant with Draco's child. If they didn't believe her, well, they didn't believe her.
In no time Hermione was dropped off at the Bats 'n' Bagels. It was the posh new café, and don't worry, there were no actual bats in the building or in any of the food. The atmosphere was calm and the furniture comfortable. It had a small book selection in the back of the room. The tables were not placed in any certain order, they were just placed wherever they landed. There was soft jazz playing in the background adding to the comfortable atmosphere.
Hermione, of course, headed straight for the books. They had some of the newest titles of both muggle and wizarding authors. Several old books were there as well. On one far bookshelf, Hermione saw a copy of her favorite children's tale, Little House on Plum Creek, it looked like an original copy too. She checked the price and heard the door open. The years of the war had left her somewhat paranoid, and she automatically looked at the door. In walked Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. Mrs. Malfoy waved at the barista with a smile and led her husband to a table near the back corner. He did not seem happy to be here. Her first instinct was to run, but she shut down her flight responses and prepared herself for a fight.
Hermione walked over to the table resolutely. "Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, I'm Hermione Granger. I believe that Luna Lovegood contacted you and arranged a meeting?"
Mrs. Malfoy smiled at the girl, then her smile fell as she looked down at the clothing choice and saw her large stomach. "Ms. Granger! You should not be on your feet! You look to be about six months pregnant! Lucius, help the girl sit down!" Lucius stood, pulled out the chair and 'helped (meaning he barely touched her shoulder)' her sit, then promptly sat down himself.
"I'm seven months pregnant actually," Hermione chuckled nervously. "I've been trying to figure out how to tell you this, so I'm just going to show you and hope that you don't hex me, sue me, or try to take my child."
Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out the file. At the last minute, she grabbed the latest sonogram pictures of her little girl. "I found all this information out four months ago but was too scared to really do anything about it, so Luna took the initiative and preceded."
Lucius snatched the folder and opened it. On top was the Certificate of Marriage, which he read quickly. He then drew his wand and pointed it at the paper. Narcissa snatched the paper away before he could say anything and held it out at arms length. Her eyes grew wide as she read. She handed the paper back to her husband and nodded.
"Just make sure that it is real, don't destroy it."
Hermione knew they would do this. She bowed her head in shame as Lucius muttered the spell. The page flared blue, then green as the spell worked. Green meant that it was a real document. Lucius shook his head and under his breath he muttered, "What did you do, my boy?"
Narcissa pulled the next page out. It was the report of the prenatal paternity test. Thankfully, the magical test was not invasive like the muggle test. Narcissa checked the validity of that report as well. Again the page turned green.
"How did this happen?" Lucius asked.
Narcissa barely contained a snort. "Dear, I thought by now you would know how women become pregnant. But if you need to be reminded in your old age…" she trailed off chuckling.
Lucius glared at his wife. "I want to know why you came to us. Why now? Why not seven months ago when you apparently married our heir? What do you possibly want from this? How did you get this legalized? Did you use the Imperious on our son?" His voice was getting louder and louder. Hermione quickly placed a Muffliato on the table so that they would not be overheard.
"I came now because my friend forced me to come. Seven months ago I didn't know I was pregnant nor married. I want my child to have a family that is larger than me. I did not use an Unforgivable and I did not trick him into this!" Hermione yelled right back at him. She knew she shouldn't stress, but the man irritated her to no end. She looked around the room again, trying to force herself to calm down. Three other people were in the shop: the barista, and a young couple sitting near the front. The barista was looking straight at them, probably worrying about her shop if the muffled yelling match turned into a full on battle.
Narcissa stretched her hand across the table and grasped Hermione's. "I understand that, my husband is just worried that you want to steal from the family. He is highly paranoid." She whispered the last part as if Lucius wouldn't hear her.
"I assure you, I don't want anything from you, expect for the whereabouts of your son. I have been trying to get in touch with him, and nothing is working," Hermione said looking down at the table.
"Why do you want to know where Draco is? Do you want him to pay child support?" Lucius asked scathingly.
"NO! I want to know where he is because I have had to change my name on any legal document from Granger to Malfoy even though I don't remember getting married! I want to know where he is so he can decide if he wants to be in his daughter's life or not! I want to know where he is so I can get a divorce and move on with my life!" Hermione stood quickly from the table. "I was hoping that you might have a smidgeon of understanding, but I guess empathy was bred out of your family lines."
Hermione turned to stomp away from the table, not caring that she was leaving the documents. However, as she stalked past Lucius, her heart could not keep up with the sudden demand her body needed. She staggered, and lost control of her joints. On pure reflex, the right-hand man to the most pure form of evil caught her.
What do you think? Good? Bad? Ugly? Do I need to scrap the whole thing? I was surprised that it was only 8 pages.