Hello everyone, this is my first submission for the Animagus Training assignment in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments) Forum. Muggle AU. Thank you to HP Slash Luv for betaing this. I do not own anything in regards to Harry Potter; the rights belong to J.K. Rowling. All I have left to say is sit back, relax and enjoy reading.
Task: Write about someone willingly going through an uncomfortable experience. Be sure to include the why.
Word Count - 787
Pairing - Hermione/Draco
Draco looked around the large living room of Blaise's home, regretting ever stepping foot in the place now. The New Year's Eve house party was packed with people he knew and some that he didn't. Regardless, it still made what he had to do all the more difficult because now he realised, it would be in front of an audience.
He and Blaise had been having their weekly catch up over a few beers in their local pub when Blaise had asked, "Have you seen Hermione since you came back from your business trip in New York?"
Draco groaned and took a pull from his bottle of beer. "I'm not doing this with you, Blaise, not now, not ever. Just drop it, alright?"
"Of course not. You'd rather just bury your head in the sand and act like sleeping with your best friend the night of graduating from university never happened. Newsflash: it did and she is pregnant. Yet, you being you, you can't do the decent thing and go and see her. Well, if you don't do it by New Year's Eve, you will at the party at my house."
"Or what? Don't threaten me, Blaise."
"I'm not threatening you, mate, I'm making you a promise. If you don't, then I'm telling your dear old parents and we'll see what they have to say about the whole thing."
"You wouldn't," Draco said, his eyes wide with worry.
"Oh, you know I'm a man of my word," Blaise replied, grinning slyly.
"Fine, if I don't see her before your stupid party, I'll talk to her then," Draco said in defeat. He already felt uncomfortable about seeing her again after their one night stand and not staying in touch with her like he'd promised he would.
Now here he was at the New Year's Eve party, downing a glass of scotch to give him some much needed Dutch courage for what he was about to do.
Not seeing his best friend in the living room, he walked around the house. After finding no sign of her, he ended up outside in the large back garden, a marquee erected in the middle.
Hermione Granger sat at one of the white circular tables, nursing a glass of orange juice and laughing, stroking her noticeable baby bump with her free hand. The problem, he noted sadly, was that she wasn't alone; Cormac McLaggen sat beside her, his arm around her shoulders.
Draco felt crestfallen and yet, he knew he had no right to be; he was the one that had run away and now he had to face the music. He owed it to her and the baby.
Walking up to the table, he cleared his throat. Hermione turned around to face him, her chestnut brown eyes widening in shock and anger at seeing him.
"So, you finally showed your face."
"Hermione… I'm sorry, honestly, for everything. I never meant to hurt you, let alone get you pregnant."
"No? That's funny because I've heard nothing from you for six months, Draco. I tell you the morning after we graduate that I love you and you run."
"It was a mistake, Mione; I didn't know what to think, never mind what to say."
"So, why the hell are you here now?"
"To put things right. I lost my best friend by running but I'm here now, to fix things. I missed you when I was away more than I can say and I do love you, but it seems I'm too late. What I came to tell you is that I'm sorry and that I'd like to be a part of the baby's life if you'll let me. Anyway, I'll go, so you can enjoy the rest of the night with your boyfriend."
Hermione sputtered and Cormac chuckled. "I'm not her boyfriend, mate. I'm Ginny's other half. She's just gone inside to see Luna. I should go and find her with it being nearly midnight."
After hugging Hermione and wishing her a happy new year, Cormac went into the big house.
"So there's no one?"
"No, Draco, there isn't. It's a hard thing to do straight away, get over your first love," she said before wincing.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his brows creased with worry.
"I'm fine, our child is still awake it seems. Here," she said, taking his hand and placing it on her bump. His grey eyes lit up in amazement as he felt the baby kick. He stroked her bump gently, looking at her.
"I'm not running anymore, Mione," he said and she knew that he was telling the truth.
As the fireworks exploded in the sky, signalling the New Year, Hermione and Draco kissed in the marquee.
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Until next time everyone,
Sunset Whispers x
