Chapter 9
Draco burst through Blaise's bedroom with the clicking of heels in tow despite the audible giggling through the door. And Blaise did not giggle which could only mean one thing. "Blaise, I need-", he was cut off by a squeak of surprise as Blaise's female acquaintance delved under the red, silk sheets. Huh, normally they don't mind. But something was telling Draco she wasn't his best mates normal type.
"Draco, you really need to call or something before you pop up. You're a nuisance.",Blaise said exasperated though a hint of a smirk graced his lips. He ways laying languishingly on the White bed, chest and well defined six pack exposed with the sheet pooled at his waist. And then there was the still lump of human, presumably waiting for Draco to leave. But he wasn't going to, at least not yet.
"Mr Zabini, we only need to ask a favour", Hermione said tightly, forcing a pained smile. He raised an eyebrow as he saw her for the first time. Draco wasn't shocked by his mates expression, gone was the girl everyone remembered and in her place, and body, stood a fully grown, sophisticated woman. Yet shouldn't he have expected that? After seeing her files and such. But still it would be a shock to anyone and everyone.
"It's Blaise, but you have the worst timing. Couldn't it have waited half an hour?", the lump hit him on the thigh, "Or an hour?" Though, by Hermione's pained expression, it was apparent that it couldn't wait a second. Even Draco himself, who had always been able to mask his emotion better than a brick wall, was sure he also looked desperate. Blaise seemed to still look unconvinced it was that serious until-
"We've lost our son", Hermione burst at the seams, unable to hold it back anymore. Something had to be done, and soon.
Blaise stared wide eyed at her revelation whilst his companion shucked the covers in an arc until it was tucked against her breasts and her head was visible, "Hermione!", she exclaimed.
"Luna?", Hermione questioned, gobsmacked. Draco couldn't believe it. If there was one woman in earth able to resist Blaise Zabini he was sure it'd be Luna. But obviously that was not the case. How had Zabini managed the seduce Luna? It didn't seem that much of an easy feat yet he's done it, made evidently by the fact she was sat, in the nude, under his covers
"Yes, it's nice to see you, Hermione. I've always wondered what you'd done with yourself. The Umgubular Slashkilter's mentioned a baby but nothing about Malfoy.", she said as if everybody knew what Umgubular Slashkilter's were. Draco rolled his eyes, Hermione closed her eyes in frustration but Blaise was lain as if her mad babbling didn't affect him. Though, if it did, he didn't show it.
"That's lovely," Hermione said with a curt smile, " it's nice to see you as well, but I- we- desperately need Blaise." Draco could tell Hermione was refraining from saying anything insulting or brash.
"Oh", Luna said, doe eyed, "I need to use the restroom anyway", and what she did surprised Draco to no end. She clutched the edge of the covers and ripped them off Blaise and around herself. Though none of herself had been shown,a lot of Blaise was showing. All of Blaise. His nudity didn't seem to cause any indifference in the slight. He was just laid with his arms stretched above and under his head. Hermione looked away and toward the also white built in wardrobes, whilst Draco merely rolled his eyes.
As soon as the ensuite room had been closed, Draco pounced on his friend, theoretically obviously, "I can't believe you're shagging Looney Lovegood.", Draco said to Blaise with a touch of praise. He doubted he'd be able to do it. Hermione thumped him so he reiterated his sentence, "Luna", but when her eyes caught sight of Blaise, she promptly looked away.
"I'm not just shagging her Draco", Blaise said in an obviously annoyed tone, "we're together. As in a couple.", both Hermione and Draco himself look at Blaise with eyes full of shock. As the words left his mouth, Draco felt… Conflicted. This must've been what his mate had been hinting about the day prior whilst at the bar, Draco wasn't Blaise's only priority. He had Loon- Luna now. And Draco was in a state of uncertainty about whether or not he approved the relationship. Deep in thought, he missed Blaise conjuring up his boxers with, "Accio boxers". Though he absentmindedly looked at Hermione whose neck was twisted to avoid looking at what was more than necessary. Her lips were in a grim line, not as plump as usual. His eyebrows furrowed unconsciously at that.
"What are you frowning about mate. Luna isn't that bad and I'm decent.", Blaise said and when Draco looked he was hardly 'decent'. He remained unclothed except a pair of hazardously tight boxers. Hermione let out a breath and flipped her head in his direction though when she caught sight of his state she grimaced in distaste.
"I'd say it's as if you've never seen a penis but we all know I'd be lying", Blaise joked, though it fell flat as Draco resisted the urge to smirk. It was completely the wrong time for such witticism. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I am not here to listen to your quips, Mr Zabini. Malfoy assured me you would be the most able person fitted for the job. Though I am questioning his judgment.", Hermione replied, much to Draco's dissatisfaction due to the tone and mannerism of it.
"Granger, Blaise is a very respectable and hardworking Auror, he is definitely able to find our son.", Draco said in an unconsciously condescending tone. She winced but he unsure of which part.
"Head Auror, and please tell me you tried a locator spell", Blaise said.
"Of course we have", Hermione beat him of the reply, " it's coming up blank."
Blaise sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face, "So he doesn't want to be found."
"He did apparate. Somehow. I suppose he does share genes with me.", Draco smirked whilst Hermione snorted, startling both men.
"I'm sure he inherited that from me. You know, brightest witch of our age, and all that jazz", this seemed more like the Hermione from school. Draco much preferred her.
"Not anymore", Blaise said whilst Hermione stiffened, "you've been gone ten years. Obviously the smart thing had disappeared by then", he teased and Hermione's body softened. Draco knew this was still a sore subject for her so he attempted to divert the conversation topic.
"Can you find Scorpius? Or not, mate?", Draco asked attempting to cut to the chase. Blaise groaned.
"Probably. Have you checked out the places he might think as safe?"
No they had not.
-xXx-
14 hours had passed and Hermione looked drained and distressed. Draco had secretly enjoyed visiting the places of his sons childhood. He felt weirdly like he understood his slightly better. He enjoyed school and the library but also being with friends at the parks and playing different sports. Their son was boy who enjoyed diversity. "Granger, we've tried everywhere. I'm sure all his friends' parents are fed up of us", truthfully, he didn't want to give up. At all. But Hermione was still rocking those high heels and she looked like she was about to pass out.
"I can't give up, Malfoy.", she argued, but it lacked her usual bite.
"I'm not suggesting that. More, we can look tomorrow", he said, "you look exhausted."
"I don't care. My son is somewhere and we don't know where. Sorry if I care about his wellbeing but I'm the only person he has", Draco flinched, he could tell her intent wasn't to hurt him, but the words did. It was impossible to not feel the pain.
"I know, Granger. I know", he said. But she wasn't done.
"No, you don't know. You will never know. You missed his birthdays, you missed his first words, first steps, first day of school, his potty training, christmas'. Everything", she was crying, tears streaming down her face. And an ache ignited his whole body, threatening to consume him. He was agony. And he could only imagine her pain was ten times worse. No a thousand wouldn't be justice.
They were stood outside of Hermione's house because Draco had suggested a rest after scouring the streets for the boy.
"I know but I can't change the past. I've told you I intend on rectifying those years. Scorpius can have two parents but only if you want that.", he offered. Inside he was desperate for her to agree but she didn't seem to be even looking at him. He eyes were far cast and she looked almost delirious.
"His first words were 'dada'.", she said whilst Draco's heart somersaulted, "I used to tell him 'no don't say that' which only made him say it more. He probably didn't understand me, but he's always been defiant. He used to ask about you every night until he was seven. But I know that stopped because of Lucius now. He used to cry because everyone else has fathers at the recitals and shows. He still cries on Father's Day. On his Christmas list the top thing was you. He used to get nightmares and cry for you.", the tears weren't ending and all her words were broken by hicks of deep breaths. She sounded as if she was hyperventilating and a panic attack was going to soon make an appearance. Hermione no longer looked like neither the proper lady or dishevelled school girl. She was broken.
She slid down the wall near the door and her bottom perched on the floor. Her arms wrapped were wrapped around her legs. The sobs wracked her body and she looked as if she could snap. "I'm so tired, Malfoy", she whispered between gasps. "I can't go in the house without him".
He knelt next to her, "I know," which seemed to be the only words he had the ability to voice, but she was right, he didn't knew. He'd never know, "And I'll take you to my house."
"I need to keep looking", she shook her head, "I have to find him" but even as she said the words her conscience was slipping away. Her head lulled against the wall. He sighed before picking her up bridal style. He could pick her up with ease and her head was now resting against his shoulder. Her arms drowsily wrapped around his neck. He apparated them both to Malfoy Manor.
