Chapter Eight
The Most Unbearable Thought
Hermione walked into Ron's flat, smiling half-heartedly at Addison as she made her way to the sofa where she deposited her suitcase on the floor.
Finally realizing that he wasn't supposed to know this was going to happen, Ron asked, "Hermione? What's going on? Is everything okay on the home front?"
Hermione sat down in defeat on the sofa, resting her head on the back and closing her eyes. "No. I think Draco's cheating on me," she said bluntly.
"Er, I'm going to get going now," Addison said, unsure if she was welcome any longer.
Ron walked her the few steps towards the door and shut the door halfway behind him as they stood in the hallway. "Lunch tomorrow?" he asked.
"You bet." She smiled and leaned up to kiss him gently on the mouth. She waved and said, "See you tomorrow," right before Disapparating.
"Tomorrow…" Ron said to himself smiling. He couldn't wait for tomorrow. Now, back to his best friend who was feeling rather crushed at the moment.
Ron walked back inside and over to Hermione on the couch. "Okay, Mione, tell me what happened, huh?"
She looked up at him with a hopeless gaze. "He's cheating on me, Ron."
Ron knew he should have looked shocked, but considering he knew something like this was coming, he found that rather difficult. "Hermione, Draco's not cheating on you."
"Oh yeah? How the hell would you know, Weasley?" Hermione looked up at Ron, and she looked ready to kill.
"Well…I…er…" Ron didn't quite know what to say. He could see now that telling her that her accusations were completely ridiculous and insane probably wasn't the best idea. He also remembered what Harry said, about how they should just nod along and agree with whatever she accuses Draco of.
"Hmm, Ron? Have you been the one who cries yourself to sleep when he doesn't come home? Have you been the one being lied to? No, I don't think you have. So, what were you going to say, Ronald?"
"Sorry, Hermione, I guess you would know better than me." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"That's right, I would." She had gone from looking sad when she walked in, to angry that Ron didn't take her side at first, and now back to sad and hurt again. She felt like an abandoned puppy. She felt like a puppy that had a home, full of people who loved her, then one day, when the puppy was getting too big and old to sit on their laps, they abandoned her for a newer, cuter model. She told Ron all of these thoughts and he did the only thing he could think to do. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight, trying to suppress the truth that was dying to explode from his lips, if only to save her hurt.
"Hermione," he said softly, "I know that's how you're feeling right now, but I promise everything will get better."
As he held her, he couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like if she hadn't been with Draco when he and Harry returned from finding and destroying Voldemort's Horcruxes.
Hermione began to let tears soak into Ron's brown sweater. He rubbed her back up and down. "I don't feel much like anything will get better right now, Ron. I've just lost the love of my life forever."
"I dunno, Hermione, maybe you two can work things out eventually."
She pulled her wet cheeks away from him and looked into his eyes. "No, Ron, I don't want to be with someone who doesn't think I'm good enough for them, or that I'm too boring for them. No. I want someone who appreciates me."
"Hermione, let me ask you a question, and you have to promise that you won't yell at me. I just want you to answer. Okay?"
"I guess. What is it?"
"When has he ever given you a reason to doubt his love for you? And, by the way, I can not believe I'm about to defend Draco Malfoy, but I just know he loves you."
"Neville saw him going into a house with Pansy Parkinson, Ron. Do you want to tell me what else that could mean?"
Ron knew the truth, and he also knew he couldn't tell her. "No, Hermione, I don't. I'm sorry, but you still didn't answer my question. What did he do to make you think he doesn't love you? Coming home late from work doesn't qualify as betrayal."
"Sure, I did, Ron. Usually when your husband goes into a house with another woman, he's not doing the greatest job of loving his wife."
"You have no proof that they were going in there to shag, Mione. Did you ask him what they were doing in that house?"
"Yes, I did, and he didn't want to tell me." Ron also couldn't tell her that he understood why Draco couldn't tell her what was going on with Pansy. "I think that's a pretty clear sign what they were doing, don't you? And, as for telling me he loves me all the time, and showering me with attention when he is around…I think he's just trying to alleviate the guilty feeling he gets from shagging that pug-faced bitch behind my back."
Ron nodded his head, and finally understood that she just needed some time away from Draco, and he understood the same thing that Harry and Draco already knew. They had to let her believe Draco was cheating on her in order to keep her safe. She was probably better off for a while staying in his flat with him. He did have an extra room, after all.
"Tell you what, Mione, why don't you get some sleep in the guest bedroom." He flicked his wand once toward the door that led to said bedroom. "There, it's all set for you. Take a nap and we can get some dinner in a few hours. Sound good?"
"Yes, Ron, thanks." She hugged him tight and kissed him on the cheek.
"Anytime. You're my best friend Hermione, I would do anything for you."
"I know, Ronald. I appreciate it."
He smiled down at her from his 6'3" frame and said, "Go on, now. Get some rest."
Without further ado, she levitated her suitcase to the bedroom and shut the door behind her. Ron immediately went over to the fireplace and, after throwing in some floo powder and saying, "The Malfoy House," he stuck his head in the fireplace.
His head whizzed past other fireplaces connected to the Floo Network until he stopped, staring into the familiar living room where Draco was sitting on the sofa in the same position since Hermione left. He was sitting with his legs straight out in front of him and his head was resting on his crossed arms, which were resting on his knees.
"Psst!" Ron hissed at the sad form of Draco.
Draco's head shot up and he zoomed to kneel in front of the fireplace where Ron's head was bobbing.
"Weasley! Have you seen Hermione?"
"Yeah, she's here. She's fine, just a little pissed at you."
Draco nodded his understanding. "I think it's best that she hates me right now instead of actually knowing the truth."
"You're probably right. Besides, she's fine here. She can stay in the extra room, and you'll know she's in good hands."
"Thanks, Ron. I feel awful knowing she thinks I betrayed her in the worst way possible."
"Deep down I really think she knows you didn't cheat on her, but she has nothing better to think as to why you were in that house with Pansy."
"Oh, Princess…" Draco sighed to himself. "Well," he said, this time out loud, "if you tell her you spoke to me, will you tell her I said I love her?"
"I will, though, I don't know how much good it will actually do."
"As long as you tell her, that's good enough," Draco replied sadly. "Hey, by the way, there's a meeting tonight, so if I can get together with you and Harry at some point tomorrow to give you some leads…"
"Well, I'm having lunch with Addison. We could meet in the morning…say, 9:00 at Florean Fortescue's for breakfast? Ginny told me he expanded in the back and added a little restaurant."
"Sounds good…send Hermione shopping with Ginny so she's not alone."
"I will. I'll tell her Harry and I are going to knock some sense into you. She'll believe that, and it's not really lying, either."
"Sounds perfect. I'll see you then."
"See you," and without another word, Ron pulled his head out of the fireplace and went to his own room to follow Hermione's lead of taking a nap.
Draco watched Ron pull his head out of the fireplace, and when the red-haired man was gone, he lay back down on the couch. He felt somewhat more relaxed at least knowing Hermione was somewhere safe.
As he closed his eyes, he thought about the way Hermione left.
After a few minutes of listening to her roughly throw things into her suitcase, he finally heard her come downstairs to leave. He figured he should at least try and stop her. He Apparated directly in front of their front door and stood in her way.
"Hermione, please don't leave."
"What, Draco? Do you want me around incase you finally get sick of Parkinson? I don't think so." She glared at him angrily.
"Well, where will you go?" He wished he could just tell her the truth. But no, he wouldn't put her life in danger. If Rodolphus or Yaxley ever found out she knew what was going on, she would be dead in an instant, not to mention that he probably would also.
"I don't know, Draco. If I did, I wouldn't tell you."
"I just want to know you'll be safe, Hermione." He tried to put his hands on her shoulders, but she pushed him away, almost violently.
"Why the hell wouldn't I be safe? Voldemort's dead, is he not? Your father's in prison, is he not?" She crossed her arms awaiting a response.
He truly hoped that his father would indeed be staying in prison. "Er, yes, but…"
"I'm leaving, Draco. Deal with it."
"Will you ever come back?"
"It doesn't really look like it, Draco. You can't un-cheat on me can you?"
"If I had cheated on you, then I suppose the answer would be no. However, seeing as I didn't…"
She cut him off, not wanting to hear more lies escape his perfect lips. It was then that she realized she was going to miss his perfect lips. Apparently, her lips weren't good enough for him, though. "Until you can give me a good reason for being in that house with Pansy, Draco, I am leaving you for good. I'll be back for the rest of my things when I find a more permanent dwelling. And…don't come looking for me."
"Fine, leave. Just…er…watch your back, okay?"
"Sure, whatever…" she said. She looked at him once, scowled, and muttered, "Giant arse," under her breath before she Disapparated from right inside their foyer.
Draco moaned just thinking about it. He couldn't imagine the way she must be feeling right now. She thought that he had done the worst thing a husband could do. Little did she know, cheating wasn't the worst thing. Putting your wife's life at stake just so you can save your dignity was the worst thing. She would learn that…soon enough.
He checked his watch and saw that it was 6:50. The meeting was set to start in ten minutes. He picked his sorry self up off the sofa and proceeded to the bathroom to make himself look like someone who wanted to be at a Death Eater meeting.
Precisely eight minutes later he Apparated onto the front porch of the Lestrange Mansion. He rang the bell and was greeted by Rodolphus' house elf, Brownie. She was named that because she had enormous chocolate brown eyes and little ears, unlike Draco's childhood house elf, Dobby.
Brownie always liked Draco because he was nice to her. This, of course, came from Hermione's insistence. As much as he may have denied it, Draco had grown fond of house elves as much as his wife had.
"Hello, Mister Draco!" Brownie squeaked.
"Hey there, Brownie. How are you today?" Draco asked politely.
"I is good, Mister Draco. Master Rodolphus is waiting for you in the library."
"Thank you, Brownie," Draco said as he handed the little elf his long overcoat and scarf. Somehow, the end of January had grown colder than it was near Christmas time.
He made his way down the long hallway toward the huge library in his uncle's house. He always tried to forget that he was related to the Lestranges, and he was now rather thankful that Mrs. Weasley had rid the world of the burden that some liked to call Bellatrix, after calling her a bitch for trying to kill Ginny, of course.
He heard voices coming from the large room, and as he entered, he saw Pansy, Mr. Parkinson, Rodolphus, Yaxley, and Travers all talking about the next step in their plan, which was apparently throwing off the Dementors.
"Ah, Draco," Mr. Parkinson stood up as Draco entered and sat down next to Pansy, who, in an attempt to scoot closer, caused Draco to scoot farther away, making her look the fool.
"Mr. Parkinson, gentlemen, Pansy," Draco said with apathy.
"We were just discussing how we would be creating a diversion for the Dementors," his uncle informed him.
"I gathered that from what I heard when I was coming in. How exactly were you planning to create such a diversion? And, who is all helping on this little mission? Is everyone in attendance tonight?"
"Yes, this is everyone that knows of the plan to release Lucius. All other Death Eaters are dead or still in Azkaban. They, however, are unimportant and unneeded. It will be a much smaller operation than Voldemort had. Anyway, you see, we were remembering how Barty Crouch helped his son escape, because it was his wife's dying wish to see him."
"How was that?" Draco asked, not quite remembering the story he was told. He was sure Hermione had mentioned it at one time or another.
"Jr. drank Polyjuice Potion so that the Dementors thought he was a clean soul passing through."
"So, what? I'll sneak Polyjuice to my father? Have him pretend to be whom?"
"Ah, that's the key to the whole operation Draco. Your father will drink Polyjuice Potion with your wife's hair in it. They will think he works for the Ministry."
Draco had to try his hardest not to puke when he heard that plan. "But…" he finally managed to struggle out.
"But what, Drakie? Don't you see? It's the perfect plan," Pansy said with a fake smile.
Draco stood up suddenly, causing Pansy's drink to fall to the floor. "No, it's not the perfect plan. I will not use my wife like that! It's disgusting!"
"Well, well, Draco, my nephew. Let's think about this, shall we?" Rodolphus stood up to match Draco's height and walked right up to him.
"Would you rather have your wife's DNA be a part of our little plan, or would you like to be attending her funeral because you refused to help?"
Draco felt tears rising to his throat, but he knew he could never show weakness in front of these men. He could never let them hurt Hermione.
"Fine," he agreed quietly.
"Good," said Rodolphus, "because if you didn't agree to help, you know she would be dead."
"I understand that you would kill her, and that it is not an empty threat. You've done so many horrid things already that there is no doubt in my mind that you would carry through on your threat to kill the love of my life." Draco knew that there was no way in hell a guilt trip would work on such a wicked man, but it made him feel slightly better to say it out loud.
"Oh, Draco, you misunderstand me," Rodolphus said with an evil grin.
"I do? How? You won't kill her?"
"She will die if this plan doesn't follow through completely, that is a fact, but you misunderstand me when you think it is I that will kill her."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, dear boy, that you will be the one to kill Hermione Granger."
"That's Hermione Malfoy to you, Mr. Lestrange, and what makes you think I would EVER follow through on orders to kill the most important person in my life?"
"What I think, Draco, is that you will be Imperiused, because I'm aware that you couldn't be trusted to carry out such orders. To her, it will appear that you are the one taking her life. She shall never know it wasn't your direct intention."
"Why?" Draco spat through gritted teeth. "Why do I have to be the one? Would it not be satisfying enough to do it yourself? Or is it that you want to see me dead as well? Are you unaware of the fact that if I kill Hermione, or if anyone else kills her for that matter, that I will indeed take my own life, because life is worth NOTHING without her?" He was yelling, but was oblivious to everyone staring wide-eyed at the exchange between the two men.
"You are indeed a silly man, Draco. You think my world will be at all affected if you're not in it? I will just have to find someone else to blackmail is all."
"You rotten scum!" Draco hissed. "Let me be the first to tell you, that your world will still not be perfect after this little plan is carried out. It WILL come back to haunt you someday. You will pay for everything you have done. I will get a piece of Hermione's hair, but if you lay one finger on her I will kill you myself."
Without another word, Draco turned and left. He would go to Harry and Ron immediately. There was no way any time could be wasted waiting until breakfast. He sent a Patronus off to Harry, telling him to find something for Ginny and Hermione to do because they needed to have an emergency meeting. Immediate action had to be taken, and he knew enough of the plan now to carry something out.
