Dear Child

Chapter Nine

Like O, Like H


Month Six

Hermione walked into the interrogation room without looking at her partner. She supposed this would be the last time she would get to call him that and she didn't know how she felt about it, which was a peculiar thought. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind. It was time to work now. She could dwell upon this-whatever it was-some other time.

She sat down in the chair next to Draco. He didn't look at her nor did he say good morning. That was fine. After he goaded her the day before, she didn't quite care if he said two words to her any time soon. She took out her parchment and a fresh quill and placed them on the table. She noticed Draco didn't have either. She raised her eyebrow at this, but didn't comment.

Two aurors brought Blaise in. Hermione cringed. She hadn't slept that well the night before. All she could think about was Blaise attacking her over and over again. She noticed that he didn't look as wild as he did when he was choking her. She felt herself ever so slightly relax at that observation.

The aurors bound him to the chair and left Hermione and Draco to question him. Hermione didn't know if she was to start or if Draco was going to. They waited in silence until she cleared her throat. But Draco said something before she could. She closed her mouth and glared at him. She could see the subtle lift of his lips. Prat, she thought.

"What do you remember of last night?" Draco asked in a neutral voice that Hermione associated with investigating.

Blaise seemed to be thinking. After a long pause, his deep voice came out gravelly. "I don't remember much. I remember hearing my mother being...murdered. I went to intervene, but I don't remember anything after that. I do remember waking up in a cell, bound and covered in blood."

"You were covered in your own blood," Draco told him.

Blaise's dark brown eyes traveled over to his. "Mine? Did I get hurt?"

"The Healer that checked you over said you suffered a few stab wounds. Other than that, no."

Blaise nodded his head.

"Did you hear the murderer's voice?" Hermione asked next.

"I don't know," he said slowly. "I just heard my mother begging him not to kill her."

Hermione felt a chill travel through her body. She shivered slightly. She couldn't imagine having to witness her own mother's death, even if she didn't see it with her own eyes. Hearing it would have been enough. No wonder Blaise went a little mad.

"So you know that it was a man?" Hermione asked.

He nodded. "I know that for sure. I remember her saying 'please sir, please don't do this' over and over."

Blaise closed his eyes and shook his head. He opened his eyes once again looked at them both. Hermione could see the haunted look in them. She had the urge to reach across the table and put her hand over one of his in a comforting gesture, but she knew it was a bad idea.

"Do you remember choking Hermione last night?" Draco asked Blaise. Hermione's heartbeat quickened as the question hung in the air.

Blaise turned his eyes to hers-brown staring into brown. She didn't know what he saw in her eyes, but whatever it was he quickly looked away.

"No," he said quickly.

"Hermione, tell him what happened," Draco told her. He finally looked over at her and she looked back at him. His eyes were demanding, yet there was something gentle within them as well.

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek and then turned to look at Blaise who was looking down at his lap. She cleared her throat and he looked up, but it seemed that he was looking through her than actually at her.

"I was following the trail of blood, your blood, out of the parlor to the den and finally to the hallway. It stopped and I was puzzled by that. As I was looking, you snuck up behind me and I heard you at the last second. You grabbed me by the throat..." She trailed off. "You grabbed me by the throat and cut off my breathing easily. I don't know how long you did that, but Draco came into the hallway and stunned you," Hermione finished quietly.

The room stayed quiet for a long moment until Draco spoke. "If I hadn't walked in, you could have killed her, Blaise," he spoke softly.

Blaise looked over to him. "I-I didn't know."

"I'm not trying to justify your actions, but after hearing your mother murder and your possible encounter with the murder, you may have gone a bit mad. Your eyes were unfocused and you looked insane."

Blaise didn't say anything for awhile. "I'm sorry."

Hermione nodded. She didn't know what to say. 'It's okay,' seemed like a scapegoat answer, a hallow excuse that everyone in the room knew was a lie. It wasn't okay no matter what unless he was under the Imperius Curse. Hermione thought back to that night. Blaise eyes were unfocused and filled with some akin to survival. He was trying to survive through everything. Could she blame him for the way he acted? Hermione didn't know.

The three occupants in the room were quiet for a long time until Draco cleared his throat and spoke.

"We're going to put you in a holding cell for the time being. We want to see if you'll remember anything. You were under a lot of stress and trauma so it is possible you may remember more. We'll question you again in a few days."

Blaise nodded.

Draco didn't have to say a word. The aurors from earlier walked in and took Blaise back to his cell. Hermione collected her papers and quills quietly and stuffed them into her bag. She stood, but Draco stopped her before she could leave.

"Are you really going to quit?" He asked in a calm voice.

She turned and looked at him. "I have to, for my safety and my child's."

Draco scratched the nape of his neck. "Granger, you can't...quit," he said slowly as if he didn't know what he was really saying.

Hermione felt her eyes widen. "Excuse me?"

He sighed. "I-the department needs you. You're the one who started this case with me and I can't work with anyone else. They...wouldn't understand."

Hermione listened to his words. She looked his face over. It almost looked painful for him to say these things to her. Hermione bit her lip.

"I can't go out in the field anymore."

"I know. You could work from the office. I'd go out and investigate."

"By yourself?"

He nodded.

"You can't do that!"

He raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm perfect capable."

"That may be, but usually I was there in case you needed backup. If, if I agree to this, you aren't going out there by yourself. I'm sure the bloody department could spare an auror to go with you."

He looked at her for a long moment. If Hermione could guess what he was feeling, it had to be shock.

"So you're saying that you won't quit?"

"I didn't say that. I said if, Malfoy. Let me think about it, okay? I'm going to visit the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."

"Okay." Hermione thought he sounded unsure. "Let me know."

Hermione nodded. "I will," and disappeared from the interrogation room and walked straight to the lift.

She didn't even want to think about what just happened. She'd file it away and think about it later.

~-O-~

Hermione didn't have time to think about what Draco had said (and didn't say) that day in the interrogation room. It was now November 14th and the day of Hermione's baby shower-much to her chagrin.

Ginny, Molly, her parents, and of course her best friends and second family had informed her two weeks ago that they were throwing her a baby shower. Hermione told them not to, but of course they didn't listen. They never listened to what she wanted or didn't want, for that matter.

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. She seemed to do this at least once a month. She always glanced at herself, but she took time out to look herself over. Her hands rested on her stomach. Her favorite action was to rub her protruding stomach. Her pregnancy was moving right along and she couldn't really complain.

"Hermione!" She heard Ginny's voice call her sing-songishly from her den.

Hermione sighed. She walked out of her bedroom and down the hallway.

"There you are! Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," he grumbled.

"Oh lighten up! It's going to be great!"

Hermione gave her a smile. "Of course you would think so. You don't mind being the center of attention."

"And you don't either, to a point."

"I've never liked it. Just because I knew all the answers in school and raised my hand to speak doesn't mean that I enjoyed the constant attention."

"Uh huh. Anyway, let's go!" The over-excited girl said pulling her friend's arm and flooing to the Burrow.

Hermione brushed the soot from her shirt and pants before Ginny could grab her again. Ginny led her into the den where everyone sat or stood around talking. When Hermione entered the room, everyone turned to her and smiled. She felt herself blush.

"Hello," she greeted timidly.

Her parents came up to her, smiles on their faces. "Hello, darling," her mother said hugging her and kissing her cheek. Once her mother stopped hugging her, her father took her place. "You look well," he smiled.

"Thanks, dad," she smiled back.

After that, everyone in the room came up to hug her and say hello. After the initial hellos, Hermione noticed the room was missing another redhead. Hermione frowned. Maybe he was coming later. She didn't think that one of her best friends would miss her baby shower, even if she didn't really want to be there herself.

But she was distracted from her thoughts when Ginny elbowed her lightly. Hermione turned her head to look at her friend.

"Mum said the food's done," Ginny said looking Hermione over. "What's wrong?" She asked in an undertone.

"Hm? Nothing. I'm just hungry. Let's go."

Ginny gave her a skeptical look. Hermione knew she was a terrible liar, but she wasn't really going to tell Ginny that Ron's absence was bothering her. She was supposed to be happy right now, so she told herself that she would talk to Gin and Harry later.

As Hermione placed food on her plate, Harry sidled up to her side. "Hey."

"Hey Harry."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Gin said there's something wrong. And don't deny it, you're a terrible liar."

Hermione had to laugh at Harry's correct observation of her. "Have you heard if Ron's coming?"

"He said he was."

"Oh ok."

"Is that what's bothering you?" He asked her, concern evident in his voice.

"Well, it seemed that in the beginning Ron supported my decision and now he just seems so...distant. I don't know if it's about the baby or if it's about something else. Has he been distant with you?"

"No, not really. He's just been spending time with Demezla."

"Oh, okay."

"Don't worry, 'Mione, Ron will always be here for you just like Gin and I."

Hermione nodded. "Thanks, Harry."

He gave her a smile and squeezed her shoulder. He went back over to his wife.

Hermione felt better after her talk with Harry. She just hoped that he was right. She wanted to believe that Ron would always be there for her, but with his recent behavior all she felt was doubt. But Hermione would give him one more chance to prove to her that their friendship was still intact.

The shower was a lot better than Hermione thought it would be. As the time slipped by, Hermione kept wondering where Ron was. She was really starting to give up on him.

Molly brought out the cake next. She sat it in on the coffee table in front of Hermione. Hermione smiled at Molly. It was a beautiful cake, cream cheese frosting with strawberries placed upon the top. It looked delicious. Molly cut into the cake and Hermione saw that the cake was pink. She furrowed her brows.

"Your mum thought it would be a fun idea to dye the cake the color of the baby's gender."

Hermione looked over at her mother and smiled. She did have to admit that it was a good idea. Once Molly started handing out little plates of cake, everyone commented on the cake and congratulated Hermione. Hermione beamed and thanked them.

After Hermione opened presents and thanked everyone that came, she let out a sigh of relief. She loved seeing everyone, but she was glad the party was over. Only her parents, Ginny, Harry, Molly, and Arthur were present. She helped them clean up the house, even though they protested. After Harry took her parents home, he and Ginny helped her move her presents to her flat.

"Thank you," Hermione told them.

Ginny hugged her and then Harry. "It's no problem, Hermione. And don't worry about Ron like I said. He'll come around. He's just too wrapped up in his girlfriend."

Hermione nodded. She hoped that was all. She told her friends goodbye before they flooed away to their house.

Hermione moved everything to her daughter's room. She decided that she should get started in there tonight. Before she could, there was a knock at her door. Hermione wondered who it could possibly be. She put down a bag and headed to the door.

When she opened it, she discovered Ron standing on the other side. Hermione was shocked.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hello," she said stiffly.

"May I come in?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment. She did need to talk to him, but having him show up at her house after not showing up for her today.

Hermione let Ron in without saying a word. He brushed past her and sat down in one of her chairs.

She shut the door behind them and sat down on the couch opposite him.

"So..."

"I'm sorry for not coming today."

Hermione scoffed. "What's going on, Ron? You've been oddly distant with me for the past few months."

He fidgeted around. He sighed and finally looked at her. "I just...I still have feelings for you, 'Mione."

Hermione averted her eyes. She hoped this wasn't the case. She looked back at him. His blue eyes weren't visible.

"Before you say anything, I know, I know that this isn't a possibility anymore. I'm not the same boy you feel for all those years ago, but Hermione you're still so much more for me."

Hermione was at a loss for words. He was right. He wasn't the same boy that she fell in love with during their Hogwarts days. He had the same qualities he had when he was a teenager, but there was something different; something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe it was a weak excuse for not loving him the way he wanted, but she had to think about herself; something she never really did for most of her life. And maybe that was the problem.

After the war, Hermione had set out by herself to actually get to know herself all over again, to figure out who she really was. And maybe that's what turned her off from the idea of being with Ron. She was too busy focusing on herself to pay attention to him; the attention he needed. She did feel guilty, but this was her time. So she took it.

"I'm sorry, Ron," he said and she meant it. She was sorry for many things.

"S'all right, 'Mione."

"No. This is partially my fault. When I needed to focus on us, I focused mainly on myself. I pushed you away."

"I know, but you had to do it. You had to figure out what was good for you and I understand that. Just...with this baby coming, it just made me yearn for the chance to be the one that's there for you. I thought this," he pointed to her stomach, "would be us one day. And you figured out a way to do it without me. I knew that you were independent and that you didn't need anyone to get what you wanted, but I didn't think that it would come to this. You never really needed me," he said, but it didn't sound like he was sad about the fact. He was resigned. He knew where he stood and he accepted that fact.

Hermione thought about it as she gaped at Ron. She had always been independent, but she always needed people. She needed Harry and Ron and Ginny and her parents and the Weasleys. She needed them all.

"I do need you, Ron. I need you all. I wouldn't be here without you or Harry or anyone else."

"Yes, I understand you need us in your life. I'll always be in your life, but you don't need me as your other half."

The revelation struck her. Did she need someone else that was her other half? Of course she did. Everyone did. She knew she wasn't that independent. Maybe she didn't need Ron as her other half. And she wasn't shocked as she thought she should be. Perhaps that's what she figured out long ago. Maybe that was her something that she couldn't figure out. Ron wasn't the man for her. He was one of her best friends. The one she went to when she needed cheering up and a hug. That's all.

"Maybe," she said even though she knew he was right. "You are my other half when it comes to other things. We just aren't...romantically compatible."

"I know," he said running a hand through his hair.

They sat in silence together for a long time. Ron stood from his chair suddenly. "I'm glad we talked. We...needed this."

Hermione bit the inside of her cheek and nodded. She stood as well. She walked over to him and hesitantly opened her arms to him.

He gave her a smile and hugged her back. "I love you, Hermione and I always will, but I know where we stand and that won't change anything between us. I'm sorry I've been a right bastard about it, but I guess I needed to think about some things. I'm sorry."

Tears sprang to Hermione's eyes. "I'm sorry, too, Ron. And I love you. You're one of the best friends I've ever had."

He pulled back and kissed her forehead. "It's all right, Hermione."

He walked to the door and gave her one more smile before closing the door. Hermione let out a shaky breath. She turned back towards the hall to work on her daughter's room, but was interrupted again by a large owl pecking her window.

She walked over to the window and opened it. The handsome eagle owl landed on her counter. It had a parcel attached to its foot. Hermione untied it and looked at the package. She took out her wand and made sure that it didn't have any curses upon it. Once it was cleared, she opened it.

It was a teddy bear. Hermione raised an eyebrow. Who would be sending her a teddy bear? She looked for a note and found one. It was straight to the point.

Granger,

I heard that you were having your baby shower and I didn't know what to get you.

-DM

Hermione looked at the bear again. It wasn't anything special, but why would Draco send her anything? And how did he find out about her shower? She looked at the bear and then back at the eagle owl. He was obviously waiting for something. Hermione looked at the bear again.

Hermione smiled to herself. In Draco Malfoy's own little way, he was trying. She grabbed a bit of parchment and wrote back to him.

Draco,

Thank for the teddy. I'm sure my daughter will love it once she's old enough. And I've thought it over, I won't be quitting the department. We'll talk more about this later.

-HG

She tied it to the owl's leg and watched as it pumped its massive wings and flew back to its own. She smiled at the bear once again and walked into her daughter's room feeling a bit lighter.


Author's note: She finally talked to Ron, but don't worry there's so much more going on! Bahaha! Anyways, the baby's a girl as most of you knew because I suck. lol! Okay time for you to pick names. I've settled on three: Lyra, Aurora, and Kyleigh. Don't worry you have until the chapter she give birth to vote. I'll tell you when that's coming up. Reviews are a plus! Until next time!