*Bangs head against table* Here's the latin translations for this chapter:
Buon pomeriggio, bella. = Good afternoon, beautiful.
Te quiero tambien. = I love you too.
bello/bella = handsome/beautiful
bambino/bambina = baby boy/baby girl
Disclaimer: Like every other author on this site (assuming J.K. is not masquerading as one of us), I do not own Harry Potter.
(Hermione pov)
"Hermione," Draco cooed, shaking me slightly from our position in the bed. "Hermione, I have something to tell you."
"Alright," I said groggily, sitting up, gently pulling the covers underneath my arms.
"We are going to visit a few friends of mine today," He said to me as he got out of the bed, giving me a view of his shirtless form. "We will be leaving at noon; I expect you to be on your best behavior."
"Of course," I nodded. "May I ask where we are going? Is there something you would like me to wear?"
"Wear something nice- we will be going to the castle today." He walked out of the room.
The castle?
As in, the castle that housed the royal family?
"Oh lord," I mumbled, jumping out of the bed and running off to find Minerva or Lily.
It had been exactly one week since I became Hermione Jean Malfoy. Draco and I had many conversations about each other, what we expected from each other, and when things were going to happen. For instance, our physical relationship had progressed, but not to the state which I would have liked. We had kissed and touched and even slept together, but we had not been intimate yet.
Draco had yelled at me once for dropping a plate in the kitchen, but apologized directly after. He had not struck me like a feared he would; he hadn't forced me to do anything and I was glad for that. He was a very gentle man when we were alone. I had yet to be with him in the presense of someone besides the servants- something that still irked me- so I did not know what would transpire today. If it was anything like the day we were married... I had better get my act together.
"Wait!" I called as I saw the small, dark-skinned girl I saw on my first day. The girl stopped in her tracks and turned, fear in her eyes. "What is your name?"
"Dorea," She said shyly, not meeting my eyes. She flinched when I put my hand on her shoulder.
"That is a pretty name. My name is Hermione," She started to shake her head. "But you can call me Lady Malfoy, if it makes you more comfortable."
"Thank you, Lady Malfoy," Her voice shook.
"Do you know where I might find Minerva or Lily?"
"Miss Minerva was in the kitchens the last time I saw her," Dorea responded. "And Lily has been sent to the castle."
I nodded, but caught her arm before she could run off. "How old are you, Dorea?"
"14."
"Why are you here?" It sounded like a very blunt question to ask.
"My mother died in childbirth and my father was a drunk," I could hear her starting to cry. "He ran out of money so he sold me for gold to a very unkind man."
"That's terrible!" My heart hurt from hearing it.
"Master Malfoy found him hitting me last year, so he bought me from the evil man and told me that he would make sure I was taken and care of, but I had to help clean his house and treat him with respect," She began to back up slowly. "I am very grateful for what he has done for me, and I need to get back to my chores. Excuse me."
She ran off and wiped her eyes as she went, making me frown. I wanted to do something about this. I wanted to make sure that never happened to any other girl again- we had no rights so we could not even oppose to being sold like a piece of meat. I did not hold it against Draco for buying her, since he practically saved her from a terrible life, but it was still wrong. There were plenty of couples who were unable to concieve that would have loved to have Dorea.
"Dorea said you were looking for me," Minerva tapped me on the shoulder. "Hermione, are you alright? You look sad."
"I... I am fine," I assured her. "Draco wants to go to the castle; could you help me pick an appropriate dress to wear?"
"Of course, dearie," She patted my shoulder and led me back into mine and Draco's room. "Now, why are you sad?"
"I was just thinking about the women of this kingdom," I spoke softly as she began pulling dresses out of the closet. "Does not it seem wrong that we do not have any rights or say in our futures? I mean, Draco is a good man and I am happy to have him over others, but shouldn't we at least get a say?"
"Have you heard the story of Amelia Bones?" She asked, moving on to the drawers.
"No."
"Well, a few years ago, when Draco was a child, there was a woman, named Amelia, married to a high official in the King's court," Minerva said. "They were both fine people, but they did not belong together; he loved her sister and she was in love with a servant. He did not try to end the marriage because he would then be looked down on by his family, so she did something about it. For months, she petitioned the court, saying that she wanted a divorce so she could marry the servant. Each and every time she was denied. Finally, after a year, she stormed into the meeting hall where the King's court was gathered."
"But that's illegal!" I gasped.
"It is. Amelia hoped that they would have mercy on her, so she could finally speak with the King face to face," Minerva sighed, picking up a long red dress and holding it out to me. "The punishment for a woman who disrupts something like that is death, and only the King himself could overturn it. Only the King was not there that day. They took Amelia outside in front of the people, and used her as an example for what would happen if the women stepped out of line. She was beheaded in the town square, and her daughter, Susan, was left to be raised by her father and his new bride."
"That's horrible!" I cried, clutching the dress in my hands.
"That is why I think it best that you keep quiet. Draco simply could not bare it if you were to be killed- he has already lost one wife, and I feel that you are his saving grace. In the future, someone will change the laws and women will have rights, but not now. People are too afraid of change to let it happen."
I frowned. "Well, why not now? You can not just wait for someone to change the rules for you; change requires action. If not now, if not me, who? When?"
"Hermione, I implore you to see reason. If you understood what would happen if you died, you would not even think to say this. Think of Draco. Think of what he has lost and what he has gained. Do not you think it cruel to gamble your own life when he has lost so much already?"
I shushed myself at that. She was right. I was Draco's wife and I could not risk my own life, for it now belonged to Draco, just like his belonged to me. They were so many mysteries surrounding the blond and I intended to find them out or have him tell me. Draco may have been strong on the outside, but he was fragile on the inside. He needed things he was too prideful to ask for. I hoped he would trust me enough to tell me.
"Chin up," Minerva tapped my chin and smiled at me. "No more talk of death and revolutions. You have got to look pretty for the outing, and a frown does not become you." I smiled up at her. "There. Now, I think red would look beautiful on you."
An hour later, I was dressed in a fitted, floor length red dress made of a slick, shiny material that I had never worn before. Minerva had laughed and said, "Silk." My hair was fone up in curls by Dorea, and a small, snowflake-shaped necklace was placed around my neck.
"It was his mother's," Minerva smiled as she fastened the chain. "He has asked me to give it to you."
"I- I can not accept it," I said quickly, rubbing the snowflake that hung on my chest. "It was his mother's; not mine."
"You are the only Malfoy woman now, Hermione. It is yours."
I saw no point in arguing further with her, so I nodded and let well enough alone. After I finished dressing, I went to go get Draco's clothes, finding a few suits inside his closet. I picked out a pair of plain black trousers, an emerald green shirt, and a plain black jacket to match. After ironing his shirt, I found him in his study, scratching along a piece of parchment with his quill.
"Draco?" I called. He looked up and his eyes widened.
"You look beautiful," He sighed.
"Thank you," I blushed, playing with my hands. "Uh... I have laid out your clothes for you; it is almost time to leave."
"Right, I almost forgot," He got up, revealing that he was still wearing nothing but his undergarments. I tried not to stare as he made his toward me, and eventually, cupped my face in his hands. "You didn't have to do that, you know."
"I think I did," I nodded, taking his hands off of my face and lightly pushing him towards our room.
I wasn't really sure what I meant by that. Technically, I did have to lay out his clothes and wash them, but I also felt that I should do it. Not because I was legally obligated as his wife, but because I was helping him. There wasn't much I was allowed to do, so I did what I was allowed to the best of my abilities.
"You have good taste, woman." Draco smiled as he saw the clothes on the bed. "I was afraid I would look like a rainbow had Minerva and Dorea dressed me."
I smiled and went to go out of the room, before Draco stopped me by calling out my name.
"Yes?" I asked.
"Why are you leaving?" He asked as he put his hands on the waistband of his underwear. "It is not as if you will not see me naked. Could you hand me my socks?"
Before I could say anything... he dropped his underwear to the floor. He was now standing in front of me with no clothes on.
As in, naked as the day he was born.
I blushed and scurried to the other side of the room, blushing and trying not to look at his... private area. I tossed the socks to him and avoiding his direction, running back across thce room and clutching the door handle.
"I, er... I- I am going to go... see what Minerva is doing." Without waiting for a response, I bolted from the room.
Even though I tried not to look, I still caught a glimpse of his... er... private part. As I walked down the clean black stairs, blushing like a virgin girl on her wedding night, one single thought resided in my mind.
How is that thing ever going to fit inside me?
"Hermione?" Minerva looked up from the cooking she was doing in the kitchen. "Sit down, dear girl! You look ill!"
"May I ask you a question?" My voie shook.
"Of course."
"How... I mean, how does it... feel... to... be intimate?"
"Intercourse, you mean." She said, as if it were not the most embarrassing subject in the world.
"Er... yes," I said awkwardly.
"Hermione, I am fifty years old. Do you know how long it has been since I have been with a man?" I really, really didn't want to guess. "My husband, Richard, died just after our only child was born. I do remember that it hurts for a moment- just a pinch. It is not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it gets better in time."
"Thank you," I let out the breath I was holding. "I didn't know you had a child."
"Ah, yes!" She said happily, clapping her hands. "My daughter, Helena, is such a sweetheart! Most polite girl you would ever meet, I swear. But when she turned fifteen and got married, I occupied my time by caring for other people's children, hence why Draco is practically mine. Helena has three kids of her own now; her oldest was actually married the same day you were, to an official at the castle. One day, though, Draco will not need me anymore and I will go to find another child who needs someone to take care of him."
"You can not leave!" I shouted suddenly. "I-I know I have only known you for a short amount of time, but you simply cannot leave me here- alone- with no one to talk to."
"That is what your husband is for."
"Yes, but I can not talk to him about certain things," I blushed again. Damn blush. "Plus, I will need someone to help me deliver children, and to teach me to care for them, and to help me remember things, and-"
"Hermione!" Minerva laughed. "You are panicing over nothing! I promise, I will not leave until you are well into your second pregnancy, at least. I love Draco as my own, but I will not leave him with a newly pregnant woman. He is a man, after all."
We ended up laughing and talking until Draco came down twenty minutes later, looking gorgeous in his clothes. I loved that he always seemed to smell like mint- it made kissing him an exhilarating feeling.
"What are you two talking about?" Draco smirked as he walked into the kitchen. "About how handsome I am, perhaps?"
"Oh, that reminds me!" Minerva smirked back at Draco. "When Draco was one, Hermione, a man came and sketched a picture of him for his baby memories. He had the cutest little bottom, I swear! Would you like to see it some time?"
"We are leaving, now!" Draco said hurriedly, grabbing my arm and dragging me out of the kitchen while Minerva laughed. Once we were outside and safely into the carriage, Draco sighed in relief. "That woman lives to embarrass me."
"I think it is very sweet," I giggled.
"Of course you would!" He scoffed, laughing along with me.
Our laughter eminated inside the carriage for a few seconds more, then slowly died down as we realized we had unconsciously scooted closer to each other. Draco, being the ever confident one, laid his hand over mine and put his other on my cheek.
"You are.." He sighed, as if looking for the right word. "Confusing."
"What makes you think that?" I asked.
"You are just so... beautiful," He chuckled, never removing his hands from their position. "And you seem to not know that. The last week that I have spent with you has been amazing. I have learned more about you, which makes me happy, but there is just so much about you that is mysterious. I would like to know the way in which you think, for it seems to be different than others. You are much kinder than most women, also."
"Why is this confusing to you?"
"You act as if you want me to bed you, then you act like a nervous, shy child in the next moment. It is just confusing, as you can see." Draco sighed, leaning in to give me a quick peck on the lips. "I regret that I must take you to see Vincent today, for I fear that your trust in me will waver once you see the way he is."
"He is your friend, Draco. I am sure it will be alright."I smiled at him.
"Just... know that I would never intentionally hurt you."
Draco's mood seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. I wondered just what this 'Vincent' was like, and why Draco was so hesitant to let me meet him.
The next two hours in the carriage were very quiet. Draco did not kiss me again- whcih I was partly dissmayed about- and he was silent most of the way. I was left to think about my life; when I ran out of life to go over, I thought of what I would make Draco for dinner tomorrow. Maybe a roast. Minerva had told me that Draco liked steamed carrots, so maybe I could throw a few of those in... yes! I could see it now! I could mash a few potatoes, pick some flowers, light a few candles...
When will we be intimate?
"Something wrong, Hermione?" Draco asked concernedly.
I realized my cheeks were flushed and my hands were shaking. "Oh! Er... no. Nothing is wrong. I am just... nervous."
"No need to be nervous." He gave me an encouraging smile. "You will be the prettiest one there. And I will be there- that is saying something."
His cockiness used to bother me, but after I ralized it was just another part of him, I got over my issue. I worried that he was actually being serious about that comment, but pushed the thought aside when the castle came into view.
"We'll be visiting another friend of mine first," Draco fought to keep a smile off of his face as he opened the door, stepped outside, and offered his hand to help me out of the carriage. "In fact, I believe he married your sister not too long ago."
"Ginny!" I smiled, practically jumping into Draco's arms. "You did not tell me that is who we were going to see!"
"I forgot, honestly." He said with fake innocence. "The men have much to discuss today, so you and Ginny will have chores to do. I suspected you would not object if you were with your sister."
"Of course not!" I smiled.
"That is what I thought." Draco took my hand and we bagn our walk to the castle gates. "If my father were still here-" Draco stopped his sentence and sighed. "Harry and I are the only known, living heirs to the Malfoy and Potter line, so it is required of us to attend the meetings."
"I am sorry," I hugged him. "About your parents, I mean."
"It is fine." He said gruffly, the leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead as the guards let us through. "Perhaps I will tell you the story one day."
We did not speak another word as we walked to the castle doors. They were opened for us by two strict-looking men. We walked through the castle- a place I had only seen once- and up the stairs, where Draco stopped us and kissed my hand.
"This is where we part ways," He sighed. "I will be in the meeting for a few hours, and then I will introduce you to my... friends. I assume your sister is currently in her room. Ask one of the servants and they will direct you where to go; I will be back for you soon."
"Yes... Mr. Malfoy," I said, practising the name I was to use in the company of others. It was for the man to decide when their wives could call them by their first names in front of others, and so far, Draco had not given me that permission.
"Good girl." He smiled. He then kissed my cheek and went off, leaving me standing at the top of the stairs.
"Okay..." I said to myself, turning around and beginning the search for my sister. "If I were a redhead, where would I be...?"
I walked down a few more hallways and opened a few doors (one of which led to a man showering- and he wasn't too easy on the eyes, either), none of which led to Ginny. I was just about to give up when I felt hands on my back. I tried to scream but a small, feminine hand clamped over my mouth while the other went around my arms, effectively incapacitating me. I was then dragged into a room and let go.
"What is the meaning of-" I started to scream and turned, only to be met by a pair of familiar chocolate brown eyes and a wide, toothy smile. "Ginny! What in God's name is wrong with you?"
"What? I was just trying to surprise you. You are far too uptight." She smirked.
"You could have given me a heart attack! I thought I was about to be kidnapped, or- or raped! God, Gin, don't ever do that to me again!" I yelled, clutching my chest.
"I- I am sorry..." She said sheepishly, hanging her head.
"I forgive you," I sighed, enjoying the way she perked up at that. "Now, get over here and hug me, you annoying girl."
We hugged each other fiercly, as if we hadn't seen each other in years. I stroked Ginny's hair like I used to do when we were children, and she laid her head on my chest in the same manner.
"So," Ginny pulled back and wiped her eyes, trying to not to tear up. "How is married life treating you? I know I have so many to tell you!"
"It has been... alright so far," I admitted. "When we are alone, he is a very kind man. He has been through a lot and has not told me much about himself yet, but I think he will soon. There isn't much to say, really. He is a very intelligent man and is used to getting everything he has wanted- something I fear could be his downfall. But, nothing has happened yet. I will write you if something happens."
"Great!" Ginny clapped, shoving me down on a chair while she talked. "Well, my Harry is a completely different story than your draco-"
"I don't think he is really my Draco yet-"
"Shush! Anyway, Harry is so... so... amazing! King Lupin is his second godfather, so when his parents were killed, he was sent to live here with the king. Harry is so kind and caring and smart and brave and... dear lord, I think I love him already! He treats me very well and has been with me every day- I am very grateful to have been picked by someone as caring and handsome as him. I know for a fact that Parkinson's husband is a complete slob. I bet she is having a grand time with him."
"When did you turn into such a gossip?" I smiled.
"I am not a gossip, Hermione! I simply hear what I hear and tell whoever will listen about it," Ginny explained, then laughed. "Oh God, I am a gossip, aren't I?"
"You have finally seen the light!" I laughed with her. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and tears flowed don our cheeks. When we were finally calm, I threw my arms around Ginny and held her close. "I really have missed you Ginny."
"I have missed you also, sister," Ginny sighed. "Hey, er... would you mind teaching me how to read and write again?"
My eyes widened. "You... you don't know how?"
Ginny smiled sadly. "They only ever teach you how to speak in the lower school, so Papa started to teach me the year before he died. After he was... gone, I could only ever write my name and read a few words I memorized. I can write 'Ginny Potter' right now, but that is about it. I can barely read a word of the books in my room. If I can not do it myself, how can I teach my children?"
"Ginny, calm down. Of course I will teach you." I sighed.
This was one of the things I hated. Because of the whole 'women are property' thing, we were not allowed to attend school, and thus only knew what our parents cared to teach us. To my knowledge, my mother could not write at all and could only read little bits, so my father taught me what I knew. I then used that knowledge to get up to skill level I was today, but it slipped my mind that Ginny did not know how.
The King before King Lupin, King Fudge, feared that if women were to be educated, we would not want to play the role of respectful housewife and mother, so he banned education for girls over the age of five. My great-grandmother was one of the last women to graduate from an upper level school.
I still did not know where to begin, but sooner or later, I would have to find more women that shared my idea for freedom for all. I mean, it had been 40 years since colored people were finally given their freedom; had I been alive at the time, I would have been there fighting for their rights, too. But, instead of throwing the bondages on them, King Fudge sent it to the women instead. Honestly, we had as many rights as a priveledged slave.
"We can start in a few weeks. I can write a few practice sheets that one of your maids can read to you. I will ask one of them to help you when I am not available. You'll be reading and writing in no time." I smiled.
"Thank you Hermione. You are a great sister."
For the next three hours, Ginny and I went downstairs and helped the cooks in the kitchens. There were so many trinkets and instruments- one of which I was sure was some kind of rifle- and I didn't know how to use single one of them. Back home, we had wooden spoons, Wooden forks, a small sword to cut things, and a spatula to move the bread around in the oven outside. But here, in the King's kitchen, there was an entire room dedicated to such instruments.
If I had had enough time, I would have asked one of the girls to explain every device to me.
"Gin bug," Someone called from the door. I looked over to see Ginny's husband standing there.
"Harry!" Ginyn smiled, gracefully running over and throwing herself into his arms. "Is something wrong?"
"No, dear. I was sent to collect you and Draco's wife." Harry's voice faded as he looked at me, obviously not knowing my name. "And you are...?"
"Oh, right. Harry, this is my sister, Hermione. Hermione, this is Harry." Ginny motioned for me to come over.
I walked in front of them and was about to curtsy, but was stopped when Harry grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it.
"It is a pleasure, Mrs. Malfoy," He smiled at my blush.
"Oh, the pleasure is mine. Believe me." I laughed, jerking my hand away and hugging him. "You will find that we hug in my family. You will definitely know that when my mother comes to visit."
"Well, now I see where my Ginny gets her charm and wit," Harry winked, only to be lightly smacked in the chest by Ginny. I gasped. "Ow, woman!"
"You were flirting with my sister," Ginny said hesitantly. "I had to protect what was mine."
"Yes... well... please do not do it again," Harry said sternly, then sighed. "Because you hit hard, my beautiful flower. Had it not been for your wonderous curves and dainty beauty, I would suspect you were a prized fighter."
Ginny laughed and they embraced as if they had been married for 10 years. I desperately wished for what they for Draco and I. Although, I suspected any other man would have backhanded Ginny across the face for smacking him in public. That was the first moment I was extremely glad that Harry Potter was my brother-in-law.
"Hermione, Ginny, we must be going," Harry smiled, offering his arms to us. "There are a few friends you have to meet."
Ginny and I each grabbed an arm and let him lead us through the castle he was obviously very familiar with. 3 staircases and a few spiral steps later, we were let into a room with 3 other men inside, one of which was my husband.
"Ah, Hermione," Draco smiled slightly at me, giving me a look that clearly said 'behave'. "Come. There are a few people I'd like you to meet."
I nodded and walked slowly over to Draco, squealing softly when he pulled me into his lap.
"You have already met Harry, I presume?" He asked, and I nodded. "Good. Then I will not have to waste my time on his introduction."
"I can hear you very clearly, Malfoy." Harry smirked as he brought Ginny over to the circle of chairs, pulling her into his lap as well. "Just because you are not looking at me does not mean I am not there."
"I know," Draco smirked back. "Which is why I did not make any effort to hide my statement from you. Anyway, before I was rudely interrupted," Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I was about to introduce you to my friends. Hermione, this is Blaise, my oldest and best friend. Blaise, this is Hermione- my wife."
The dark-skinned man stood up and kissed each of my cheeks, while I tried not to blush so red that my face would look like a tomato. "Buon pomeriggio, bella."
"Er... I am sorry," I said. "I did not understand."
"Do not worry, it is just italian," Draco rolled his eyes at the now laughing man. "He does it with every woman he meets. Do not come on to my wife again, you gormless bugger. You have your own."
"And I love my italian hellcat of a wife very much," Blaise sighed. "But there is nothing wrong with complimenting your best friend's wife. Besides, Julianna is 8 months pregnant and I need some sort of excitement. I am telling you- do not have kids. I have not so much as seen her naked since her fourth month."
"Well, you might if you would stop asking all of the time," A very pregnant woman waddled in and slowly sat herself on the chair right next to Blaise. "Contrary to popular belief, women do not want to be asked, 'are you ready yet?' at all times of the day."
"You are driving me insane, woman!" Blaise threw his hands into the air, but smiled nonetheless. Then, he kissed Julianna full on the mouth. "But I love you anyway. And our little bambino."
"Te quiero tambien, bello." She purred at him. "And what makes you think we are having a bambino? What if it is a bambina?"
"Then she will be very loved," Blaise sighed. "But this one is a boy. I can feel it."
"Sure," Julianna dissmissed him, then turned to us and smiled sheepishly. "I am sorry! How rude of me! My name is Julianna. I would get up to shake your hands, but it takes a lot more effort than you think to lift this out of a chair."
Ginny and I laughed when she gestured to her body. Everyone joined in the laughter when Blaise leaned over and gave her belly a sloppy kiss, effectively smearing saliva all over her dress. Julianna smacked him in the back of the head, then kissed the spot she hit when Blaise pouted at her.
"Draco, I do believe you have not introduced me yet."
"Ah, yes," Draco cleared his throat and gestured the dark-haired man sitting next to Blaise. "Hermione... this is Vincent."
"It is a pleasure," Vincent got out of his chair and gave the back of my hand a kiss, which gave me the strangest feeling that I should have hidden from him.
"It is nice to meet you too," I lied. Vincent sat down and I tucked my head into the curve of Draco's neck. I enjoyed the way he rubbed my back when I did that.
"I would like you to meet my wife," Vincent purred to me, before snapping his fingers. "Elisa!"
After a few seconds, Vincent smiled and raised his voice. "ELISA!"
"I am coming, sir!" I heard someone shout. Then, a small, brown-haired woman walked into the room, her stomach slightly rounded. I would say she was around 5 months pregnant. "I am so sorry! I-I was helping Liza with her chores-"
"I do not care for your excuses!" Vincent sneered at her. He then grabbed her and whispered something in her ear, before turning her to face us. "This is Elisa, my wife. Elisa, this is Draco, Blaise, Harry, and their wives." I noticed the way he practically spit the word 'wife' when speaking of her.
"Hello," She said quietly. Vincent grabbed her and put her in his lap.
Draco nudged me and mouthed 'say something'.
I cleared my throat. "You are pregnat, are you not, Elisa?"
Vincent nodded at her to speak. "Yes... around 5 months."
"That is great," I smiled, then looked at Ginny. "Right, Ginny?"
"Oh, yes! Great," Ginny nodded.
"Yes, it will be her first," Vincent smiled. "Show them the shirt my mother knitted for the child, Elisa."
Elisa's eyes widened. "I-I forgot it a-at home-" She started, then was puched off of Vincent's lap. "I am sorry, sir! I promise, I did not mean to-"
"I gave you one thing to do," He smiled angrily. "One. Damn. Thing. Yet you couldn't remember to do it?"
"I did not mean to forget it! I promise I did not know-"
We all winced when Vincent brought his hand down against her face with a loud smack. I brought my hands to my face to stifle the small gasp that came out of my mouth as Elisa stumbled back, one hand on her cheek and another and her stomach.
"Get out of my sight, you insolent girl." Vincent barked at her, pointing to the door.
Elisa began to cry as she ran out of the room as fast as she could possibly go. I looked at Draco as if I suspected him to do something, but he merely shook his head and gave me a look that said 'I cannot do anything about it'. The room was left in an awkward silence before Draco patted my back for me to stand up, then kissed me on the cheek.
"Hermione, Ginny, Julianna," Draco said stiffly, gesturing toward the door. "Would you mind stepping out for a moment? We have things to discuss that you women need not worry about. I believe the queen might appreciate your company."
The other two girls stood up and began to leave, but I turned to my husband.
"Draco?" I whispered.
"Go find her," He whispered back, patting my hand.
I nodded and left the room, closing the door behind myself. I immediately followed the two other girls into the kitchens, looking for someone who might have seen Elisa.
"I believe I saw her run out into the gardens." I turned to see the queen standing in front of the island in the kitchen, eating an apple she had just sliced. "She was crying, too. Is something wrong?"
"My queen," I said, the three of us curtsying slightly. "I did not see you there. Thank you for telling us where she is- we will just go and find her, now."
We began to leave. "Wait!" The queen said to us, waddling over. "I think I will come with you. I am great with advice, you know."
"You do not need to-"
"Nonsense, child!" She laughed, grabbing my arm as I lead her out. "My Remus tried to persuade me into many things, but you will find that I am not easily convinced. It would be easier if you just nodded and went along with what I do; it will save you much frustration."
I laughed. Despite being the queen and having the ability to order my death with the snap of her fingers, she seemed like such a nice woman.
"And please, call me Tonks," She nodded as she opened the door to the gardens. "It was my maiden name, but it is so much better than Nymphadora."
I was about to tell her that her name was beautiful, but stopped when I looked at who sat underneath the cherry blossom tree. Elisa sat with her back to the tree, crying and wailing with all her might. Tear streamed down her face and I could already see the bruise forming on her cheek.
"Oh, poor girl," Tonks sighed sadly, putting her hand over her heart.
We all walked over slowy, me bending down first since I was the only one who wasn't pregant that knew how to comfort someone. I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled slightly when she looked at me with red, puffy eyes.
"Sweetie," I said softly, opening my arms.
She wailed and leaned into me, her tears staining my dress. "I-I d-do not know w-what I d-do wrong! I am j-just trying to b-be a good wife!" She cried.
I stroked her hair as the others gently sat down in a circle around us. "Sweetie, shh," I cooed. "It will be alright." She began to sniffle and shake. "Everything will be alright, Elisa. Shh."
We sat underneath the tree and waited for her to finish crying. She stuttered about how this wasn't the first time he had hit her, and something about her baby. She cried more and more until she seemed physically incapable of keeping it up anymore. She closed her eye and wiped her tears, then buried her face in her hands and took long, deep breaths.
That was the day I knew I had to be the one to bring change. If not for myself and my children, then for women like Elisa who deserved better than the hand they were dealt.
A/N: I disappeared for 2 1/2 weeks... and I'm sorry. A family member died, I'm starting to apply for colleges, I cried a lot... life happened. Meh. But, I'm back. I'm trying to update CRW, but it's a slow process. So... I'd love to hear your feedback on this. Any opinions on what Hermione should do? Any thoughts on the new characters I've introduced? -Nikki a.k.a.- Twipotterfreak28