authors note: hello all! apologies for chapter 1 taking forever, so I worked to get this next chapter up quickly. again apologies that we are still in the rewrite phase, soon new plots will be coming in. now thank you so much to the response for this fic, it makes me very happy to see reviewers and people subscribing to the story! Thank you very much.
song recommendations: only love can hurt like this: paloma faith (I would especially recommend listening to the 'off the cuff' version), someone like you: adele.
it must have been a deadly kiss
-x-
Were her eyes tricking her? A cast of light or a mirage from dehydration or perhaps starvation (not really true if the half eaten bowl of pickles in the living room were anything to go by). Was it the pregnancy hormones, making her emotional and imagining things were there? These all seemed more reasonable than the idea that Ron had showed up back in her life after 7 years, especially since he had the cheek to insult her husband.
Her eyes were glued to Ron, mainly out of pure shock. However, she snapped out of her starring when she saw Draco move protectively in front of her. He was glaring at Ron, and had picked up Scorpius from the floor, to mirror Hermione with a child on his hip. Moving to stand next to her, Hermione on auto pilot shifted Rose to her left, and took a step closer to Draco. Even in her confusion, Draco was her rock. He always had been really.
'Ron what on earth are you doing here?' Confusion was heavy in her voice, this was beyond insane. She hadn't seen Ron in 7 years, after he had flown the co-op. She could barely even remember the words in his letter, though she had read them hundreds of times in the first year of his departure. Now? She was fairly certain it had been thrown out years ago.
The truth was, when Ron had first left she had been devastated, offended and angry. He had just left with a crappy little note barely even explaining why. It had been about love and pain and everything. It had been completely unreasonable, yes the war had hit him hard, but they had all suffered! Everyone had lost people, and held emotional scars from the Battle of Hogwarts, and yet Ron had been unable to deal with his and had left. It had killed Hermione, him leaving without a proper goodbye, she was sure if he had just had the courage to face her and tell her why he was leaving it would have been a lot easier to deal with.
She had cried at first, she loved Ron like a brother, she truly did, and she knew that was part of the problem; like a brother. She wasn't in love with him, that had been confirmed to her after the kiss, there just wasn't enough there to justify a relationship. She knew she was a big part of the reason he had left, especially when Lavender had offered him the easy way out.
Even after everything they had been through, Hermione knew Ron would always take the easy way out, it was just in his nature. As was taking the hard road, that led to better things was in her and Harry's nature.
Oh goodness Harry, how on earth was he going to react? Ron leaving had been hard on both of them, and had caused them both to grow even closer. Becoming their own little twosome around Hogwarts in their last year. Harry had even walked her down the isle, and she had been best man at his wedding (though she had dubbed it best person!, still she had worn a suit). Hermione knew that if she had anger bubbling at the surface threatening to spill over, Harry would be even worse, much worse.
'Have you got the baby bag?' His wife called upstairs, her voice fretting with worry. He could hear her running around downstairs doing a quick tidy up before they were due to leave; if it was anything Cho hated it was a messy house.
Swinging said bag over his shoulder, and double checking for bottles, nappies and Lily's special blanket, Harry nodded to himself before calling downstairs 'Yes love, I've got it. Don't forget to grab her toy panda though, she won't possibly go to sleep without them'
'I know' She called up, and Harry could imagine his wife rushing around at this very moment. They hadn't been going out a whole lot since Lily had been born, it had been an easy labour for Cho but a tough pregnancy and so she had needed time to recover. With Harry working none stop as well, they hadn't been able to get out much. Tonight however was squaring up to be fun, a dinner party at the Malfoys.
Harry couldn't help but chuckle slightly as he flipped the lights of in the nursery and preceded into the hallway. If someone had told him age 18, that he would be heading over the Malfoy's to dinner where his closest friends lived together, married, and said close friends were Hermione and Draco. He would have laughed all night long. Who knew? Of course Hermione had always been one of his closest friends, but Draco? That had been a bit of a shock.
Still Harry knew everything happened for a reason, and he was happy in both his family and social life. Sure he had friends who had once been 'enemies' but all was well, and that was enough for him. It was odd to be close to Draco now, but they were genuinely good friends. They socialized and worked together, it had worked out well.
Snapped out of his own thoughts by a thud, Harry looked up and a smile burst onto his cheeks. The thud had been his son jumping out of the bathroom, to show his Father his chosen attire for the night. Dressed in a full suit and a tie Harry recognised from his own closet, his son was smiling ear to ear, clearly pleased with himself for looking so smart, even if the tie was trailing on the ground.
'My goodness James, you look like a business man' His sons laughter was infectious, and Harry joined in as he came to kneel down in front of him. 'Though that tie is a little bit long', and with more laughter followed by the flick of his wrist, his son's tie shrunk in front of his own eyes. James clapped his hands together, as he often did when Harry did magic in front of him.
James loved the idea of magic, and was always going on about being a wizard, and attending Hogwarts in Gryffindor House. Harry knew his son was going to get that letter, James was a right little troublemaker at school along with his best friend Scorpius. The two were constantly causing mishaps around the school, just last month James had dyed one of the 'show and tell' pets bright blue, without the use of any color dyes. The school were still trying to figure that one out, all the same James had sat through a week of detention for it, along with Scorpius, who was in trouble for eating only cake for lunch (though Hermione insisted she had packed him a healthy lunch, and Scorpius must have 'accidently-on-purpose' transfigured it.
Scooping James up on his hip, Harry raced down the stairs to find his wife at the bottom, Lily in her arms. There daughter wasn't even one yet, and yet she was beyond beautiful. Lily Nymphadora Potter. Pushing a finger to her lips, Cho settled Lily in the carrier, James copied his Mom with a finger to his lips; Lily was sleeping, and they were all well versed in what would happen should she wake. Hermione's daughter Rose was the same, from birth if both shrieked loud enough, they would crack every piece of china in the house.
Nodding, Harry scooped up the carrier as he passed James over to Cho. Walking outside, he opened the car for them (with Lily being so young he preferred to drive than apparate), settling everyone in. Cho sat up front, and James sat in the back with Lily, he was holding her hand and smiling to himself- James simply adored his little sister.
'Everybody ready to go?' Met with two yes's and a slight gurgle from Lily, Harry put the car in drive. His life had turned out perfectly, he couldn't imagine having a better life. Raising a hand to his head to push his hair out of the way, his fingers traced over the thin lightning bolt scar; that was in the past now, it had not hurt for so long (though once Harry had experienced his first migraine, and had freaked the fuck out before Cho had calmed him down).
Time to head over to the Malfoys, but of course Harry had no idea what he was about to encounter.
'I..' He could barely find the words or his voice to communicate his feelings. Honestly? He was in shock. He had expected a waiting Hermione, tears in her eyes and arms wide. Sure it had been naive to hope to find her waiting, but it had also been hope. Hermione had been in love with him when he left, and he had simply hoped she was still the same. Boy he had been wrong.
He honestly thought if he had found Hermione married to anyone else, he would have been as crushed but not as angry. He would have understood, shook her hand and tried to get back to being friends. It was the insult of who she was married to that made him angry. It was Draco Malfoy for fucks sake, and Hermione looked fucking offended at his reaction – fucking offended that he was surprised and angry that she had married that prat.
'I don't know what to say' The words spilled out of his mouth. His voice seemed to stir something in both of them though. Hermione and Draco shared a stolen look, of trouble and worry, before Draco stepped in front of Hermione, the boy still on his hip.
Taking the girl from Hermione's arms, Draco then placed both of his children on the floor in front of him, bending down to be at their level. Ron wanted to look away, he didn't like the idea of the four (soon to be five), of them interacting like a family, and yet he couldn't tear his gave away.
'Scorpius, why don't you take your sister upstairs?' Draco nodded, before ruffling the blonde boys hair. The boy nodded happily, and took his sisters hand. Trotting away upstairs, they began to gabble away to each other; the girl was apparently called Rose. Though distracted he heard talk of unicorns, and goblins, as the children's voices grew steadily quieter.
With the children upstairs, he noticed the atmosphere changed. Draco was stood again to Hermione's side and had his arms around her wait. Hermione's hands rested on her stomach protectively, and her body was curved into Draco's. 'Here it comes' He thought to himself, Draco's expression had changed to one of anger, and Ron could see his hand twitching toward his pocket. Only Hermione's presence Ron was sure stopped him outright dueling.
'I didn't want to say anything in front of my children' Draco spoke now, taking a step forward to yet again shield Hermione, that pissed Ron off, did Draco think Ron was going to attack her?! Yes Ron was angry, but he would never hurt Hermione, never intentionally. 'But what the fuck are you doing here? You have no right to be here Weasley'.
Ron wasn't watching Draco, not at all, he was watching Hermione, and it crushed him to see Hermione nodding along with Draco in the background. He was only crushed more by her next words 'Yes Ron, what on earth are you doing here? You can't just show up like this, out of no where, we have guests coming for dinner, and plans for the evening' Her voice was less angry but sad, as though she genuinely wished he hadn't come.
Well this was certainly not what he had expected.
'Excuse me, I get it, it's out of the blue. But fuck was I to know you married this scumbag?' Ron couldn't stop himself 'If I had known, I never would have come' He was spitting out his words, and he saw Hermione take a step back. 'Why are you acting like I'm dangerous?! Edging away from me, and you' He pointed at Draco 'Constantly standing in front of her? I can talk to an old friend, can I not?' He was struggling to keep his temper.
'She's pregnant you idiot, stress isn't good for her' Draco did not move, and looked as angry if not more than Ron 'And don't call yourself an old friend, you fucked off, thank goodness, but still you did, you're not her friend anymore'
'He's right Ron, you left, you're not my friend, not anymore'
'How far away are we?' Cho's voice was barely heard over the screams. She was crammed in the back between James and Lily. 'Seriously Harry? How far?'
''Five minutes max' He glanced over his shoulder and then back to the road. He knew Cho would get it under control, his focus was on keeping the car on the road.
It was a nightmare, ten minutes into the journey (the Malfoy's didn't live too far across London), all things had blown up. Lily had woken, and had began her screaming fest, shattering Harrys rear view mirror (that had taken some multi tasking, hanging out the window to repair it with magic, whilst still steering), and shrieking the whole car into oblivion.
Cho had apparated into the back seat, with a fair bit of concentration (she had narrowly avoided squashing James), and was now trying to calm Lily down. Harry had put his foot down, and James had his hands over his ears, ignoring the noise, as his Father sped down the roads.
'Look I can see their house, I'm gunna be pulling in soon' Harry spoke frantically, pushing down on the car, and turning down the Malfoy's road. 'Just hold on'
'Daddy hurry' James yelled over the sound of Lily's shrieks.
Harry turned then, pulling up the road, he didn't directly park out side the Malfoy's, instead a car or two down, he would move the car later, the priority now was getting Lily out the car before she broke every window. Heaving himself out, Harry grabbed the baby bag, and opened the rear door. Scooping Lily straight out of her carrier, Harry began to cradle his little girl who hushed immediately, with a laugh of relief, followed by a cheer from James and more laughter from Cho; Harry knew then, Lily did not like the car. Next time they would walk or apparate when it was safe.
'All good' He sighed in relief, and locking up the car he began the walk down, with Cho taking Lily into the stroller she had unpacked, Harry scooped James onto his hip; then twining his hand with his wife, Harry walked down to the Malfoy's with his family.
Hermione knew she had crossed a line when she spoke those words, Ron's whole posture seemed to sag, but Hermione was just being honest. They weren't friends, not anymore. Hermione had moved on with her life, had married Draco, and had her family, with another on the way, Hermione had no time or patience for Ron, he had left them all behind, did he honestly expect to walk back in?
That annoyed Hermione, his last little speech had clicked a realization in her. He had been expecting to come back and find her alone, ready and waiting. How dare he think such a thing? Her and Draco had been friends for years, ever since he had worked undercover for the Order come 6th year, he had been invaluable in passing on Death Eaters locations and plans, and had only revealed himself at the end of the war when he had switched sides, and had single handedly taken down Rodolphus Lestrange. Since then he and Hermione had made a habit of going to lunch, ever since Draco's views had clearly shifted, Hermione had realized just how much of a match they were, and it had developed from there.
She felt insulted that Ron expected her to be waiting for him, pining for him. But then it dawned on her, Ron had fled the instant the battle had been over. She remembered seeing him last, as the trio had contemplated the new day, whilst Harry had repaired his wand, he hadn't seen Draco in the great hall after, dragging Rodolphus after him, and revealing himself as one of the good guys. Ron had left then, Hermione hadn't even noticed him not following them into the great hall until it was too late. Clearly this was the main source of his anger; he didn't understand, and even Hermione understood how frustrating confusion could be.
Still she was in no mood to pander to him, he had insulted her by insulting her husband. 'Ron, you have no idea what you're talking about, you don't know Draco, you left before you could' She sounded sad, but her eyes lifted slightly when she felt Draco loop his hand through hers.
'You should go really' Draco spoke and Hermione nodded; she hoped he would leave before Harry got here, that would not be pleasant.
'Yes Ron, we'll no doubt see you at dinner at the Burrow in two days, give us some time to contemplate things' Resting her spare hand on her stomach, Hermione nodded; he really did need to leave. She wanted a nice quiet dinner party with her friends, not drama, and if either couple coming saw Ron there was bound to be some.
'I...' Ron spoke then, cut off by the whoosh of apparation. Oh good lore, Hermione didn't know which couple would effect Ron more; this was not going to be good. Closing her eyes, and angling herself behind Draco, Hermione did not want to see this, not at all.
'Ron?!' Ginny's voice rung out in shock.
'Weasley?' There was Blaise's voice. Hermione didn't have to look to imagine the expression on Ron's face. Still taking a peek, she saw first anger and then pure shock.
'Ginny?' Ron sounded shocked, choked even; even more so than when he had seen Draco. Apparently it was worse if it was your little sister. 'What the actual fuck.., what on ea..'
Cut off again this time by a gasp; the gasp that belonged to Cho, 'Ronald?'
Three greetings (of a sort), Peeking over Draco's shoulder, Hermione saw the shocked looks of Ginny, Blaise, Ron and Cho. Where the fuck was Harry? That was the reaction she was most worried about. With everyone stood around, agape expressions on every face, she knew the situation with Harry would be worse.
Then she saw him, striding forward from behind Cho, James now placed on the floor. Hermione knew that expression, it was not a happy one.
'Harry no..' Hermione began but she was too late, the next thing she knew Ron was on the floor with a bloody nose, and Blaise was grabbing Harry back, Draco had joined in restraining him, and Ginny had ran to Hermione's side, her hand mirroring Hermione's by being pressed to her (much larger) stomach. 'Good lore' Hermione spoke, rolling her eyes to the heavens. As Harry fought against his friends to let him go, Ron didn't move but had anger bubbling on his face, Hermione knew she had to do something.
Striding forward slightly, one hand resting protectively over her belly, the other reaching into her hair (what? She was a mother of two, had a full time job and a house to run, it was convenient), to pull out her wand. The non verbal spell was easy, casting a large shield between the family and Ron.
'Now stop it all of you!' Hermione yelled, glaring at Ron before her gaze softened on Harry. 'Everyone inside, now!'
Removing the shield she strode off into her house, Ginny following quickly behind her. Harry was released and went back to Cho to help her, his expression still one of anger, Cho's whispered words seemed to be helping though. Ron remained on the floor now on his knees. Draco passed him, his ever famous smirk now in place, Blaise by his side.
'Though I don't want you in my house, I'd listen if I were you Weasley, pregnancy hormones and all' Cocking an eyebrow Draco and Blaise walked forward, Harry, Cho and the kids close behind them, ignoring Ron stoically.
'Well that went well' Ron spoke, getting to his feet; could it get any worse?
SO what did you think?! a bit different from the original, but I wanted to add another harry section. plus I always had intent to include ginny/blaise in the last story, so I'm just introducing them a bit earlier.
please review and tell me what you think, it keeps me writing. also favourite/subscribe.
on another note I am debating doing a prequel to this story, a draco switching sides idea - what do you guys think?
and as always please enjoy. see you soon.