Chapter 6: The truth hurts
Draco sat by alone in Blaise Zabini's sitting room, downing a glass of firewhiskey.
"Merlin, Malfoy," Blaise said from the doorway,. "You you look like hell."
"Thanks, mate," Draco told him sarcastically. Blaise took a seat beside his friend and grabbed the bottle.
"I don't mind if I do,", Blaise said to no one in particular before taking a sip. He looked at Draco and slapped him on the shoulder. "Tell me what happened."
Draco leaned back in the chair and cleared his throat. "I found someone," he explained to his oldest friend." "She was fabulous and now she's gone."
"It happens," Blaise comforted his fellow Slytherin. "I am sorry."
"Me too," Draco replied, before snatching the bottle back.
oOo
Hermione was still moping a month later. Harry was glaringglared at Ron one mooring morning after Hermione had fled the kitchen in tears.
"Say what's on your mind Potter," Ron snapped.
Harry looked at Ron., "did Did you have to be such a prat?"
"Are you telling me that you could accept Hermione and Malfoy together?" Ron asked.
"I am saying that I would have tried," Harry told him. "Because I love Hermione and want her to be happy."
"I did her favour," Ron said to both Harry and Ginny. "She deserved better,what What could he possible give her accept except money and a hard time?"
"He gave me a lot," Hermione announced from the doorway. Her three friends turned and looked at her. "He did a lot for me and I have a lot of memories to sustain me."
"Well, maybe you should just get over it," Ron suggested gently ,but his voice firmlywas firm. "He's out of your life now, and I think that's for the best."
"There is a lot you don't know about him," Hermione advised, feeling the tears well up again.
"Tell me one thing I don't know," Ron cried, exasperated.
"That he is the father of my child," Hermione countered. She collapsed in the chair, exhausted and sobbing. Ginny reached over and put her arms around Hermione.
"What?" Ron asked, looking as if he had been confounded.
"I am pregnant," Hermione admitted. "Draco's the father."
oOo
"Hermione, what are you going to do?" Tonks asked, sitting setting a cup of tea in front of Hermione.
Hermione smiled graciously and shrugged., "Have a baby I guess." she She sighed.
"A baby is a lot of work, especially if you're alone," Mrs. Weasley warned Hermione.
"She's not alone," Harry spoke up. "She has Malfoy."
"I wasn't going to tell him," Hermione whispered, taking a sip of her tea.
"He has a right to know," Harry argued.
"I don't want him to feel obligated. I broke up with him, remember." Hermione said.
Everyone looked at Ron, giving him very accusing glares. Ron stood up wordlessly and left the room. Hermione shook her head and stood up also,as well.
"I appreciate everyone's concern," she announced, "but this is my baby and my choice."
"This is a bad decision," Harry said aloud to the whole room., no No one agreed or disagreed, but chose to remain silent. Harry excused himself and went upstairs. He pulled Ron off the bed.
"Ow," Ron grumbled as he hit the floor.
"Get up," Harry ordered, glaring at Ron. "We have to go."
"Go where?" Ron mumbled as he gettinggot up.
"To fix your mistake," Harry replied, pulling Ron downstairs.
oOo
Hermione stumbled out of the bathroom., Ginny made a face. "Morning sickness?" she asked. Hermione simply nodded and threw herself onto the bed. Ginny stroked her hair until there was a knock on the door. She opened it and stood back, allowing Draco to come in.
Hermione sat up when she saw him. "Draco," she whispered, shelet him embrace her before she spoke. "What are you doing here?"
"I am here to yell at you," Draco told her quietly, stroking her hair as he said it. "How could you even think to keep this from me?"
"How did you…?"Hermione started and then trailed off., "Harry told you, right?"
Draco nodded., "And I am damn glad he did." He helped Hermione downstairs, "We need to talk."
oOo
It was decided Hermione would go and stay at Malfoy manner until the baby was born., the The Fidelius charm would still be heldin place still, to keep her safe. People would take turns staying there with Hermione, to watch her and the progress of the baby. Draco had already made plans to have healer Healer also travel once a month to check on both Hermione and the baby's health.
The Weasley's, including a reluctant and stoic Ron, helped Hermione move her things. Blaise, Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass were waiting for them at the Manor. The girls helped Hermione to get settled. They had already been introduced to the Order and were had all been made members along with Draco. Pansy and Daphne had agreed to stay at the Manor with Hermione full- time, and would be helping whoever was assigned to Hermione. Blaise and Draco would accompany Harry and Ron.
"I wish I could stay with you," Draco told Hermione as she unpacked, "But but I promised Potter that I would help him with the Horcruxes."
"I was going to go with him," Hermione replied wistfully. Hermione tried not to show how disappointed she was about having to stay at the Manor, but Draco knew she was. Hermione was never one to lie down while others around her fought.
"But you can't risk your health right now," Draco advised her. "Please, for the sake of our child, I need you to be careful.; I need you to stay here."
"I already agreed,." Hermione huffed and crossed her arms. She leaned her forehead against his and sighed., "We can do this, right?"
"We can do this," Draco agreed, whispering into her ear.
"Promise you will stay alive," Hermione begged Draco tearfully. "Our baby needs a father, I need you."
"I'll do my best," Draco replied, pulling her into his arms.
