I had hoped to get this up sooner, but I had a bunch of college deadlines to meet, and I have a habit of leaving things to the last minute.
Just like to address some people's worries, I guarantee that Hermione and Draco will end up together. But I have no interest in making it an easy journey for them. Draco is insanely stubborn and Hermione is so sure that staying away from him is best for her, and she has all the issues with Ron to deal with. So I think what will happen will be pretty unexpected, but that's what makes it fun! What's the point in reading a story if you're able to predict the character's every move?
Speaking of unexpected twists, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Hermione's about to do something surprising...
Let him know that you know best, cause after all you do know best
Try to slip past his defence, without granting innocence
Lay down a list of what is wrong, the things you've told him all along
And pray to God he hears you, and I pray to God he hears you
Hermione walked down to the kitchen the next morning with Tom in her arms and a tired Amelia trailing after them, all fully dressed. Ginny was already there feeding James, and next to them was Harry, engrossed in the Daily Prophet and looking fairly exhausted. Hermione instantly felt a twinge of guilt as she remembered the huge favour she had asked of him last night, and she hoped for an opportunity to apologise and find a way to make it up to him. Hermione sat Tom down in a chair next to Amelia then proceeded to make their breakfasts.
"Morning, 'Mione, how did you sleep?" Ginny asked casually, but Hermione was sure there was a hidden meaning there.
"Fine, thanks" Hermione replied in a similar tone, turning to Harry as she passed food over to Amelia and Tom which would keep them distracted. "Harry, how was...um...last night?"
Harry sighed as he turned a page of the Daily Prophet. "Exhausting. He was not in a good mood."
"I'm sorry Harry-"
"Don't be sorry, Hermione." Harry cut her off. "You've nothing to be sorry for. Trust me."
Hermione nodded. "I just feel bad asking you to stay over there." She said quietly.
"I know, but someone had to keep an eye on him. And who better than your friend?"
"What are you talking about?" Amelia cut in curiously.
"Nothing, honey" Hermione said quickly, her eyes flicking over to her daughter. "It's just grown-up stuff. Eat your breakfast or you'll be late for school."
Amelia reluctantly turned her attention back to her cereal. "I can't wait to be a grown-up and hear all this grown-up stuff" she muttered, stabbing her spoon into the bowl.
There was a moment of silence while Hermione uncomfortably played with the hem of her top and cast guilty looks towards Harry, who only smiled at her and went back to his newspaper. She then looked to Ginny, who had a look on her face that clearly said they were going to have a talk later. Hermione wasn't particularly looking forward to that.
"I'm going to go get Drake up, he will probably want fed now" Hermione said as she walked to the door.
"I didn't hear him crying." Harry noted.
"No, he doesn't cry very often." Hermione replied.
Harry laughed. "Makes a change from you two" he said to Amelia and Tom. "You're just like your dad, not at all happy if you weren't being fed."
Hermione forced herself to laugh as she ignored the raised eyebrow Ginny was giving her. "Guess he just takes after me then. I'll be back down in a minute."
Harry put down his newspaper and stood up. "Actually, I'll walk you up. I want to talk to you."
Hermione swallowed nervously, but a quick glance at Ginny told her that Ginny hadn't told Harry a thing, and she berated herself for thinking she would. Of course Ginny wouldn't tell him anything, she had kept everything from him that Hermione hadn't wanted him to know. She would never tell him this secret if she didn't want her to.
"Okay" Hermione replied, turning to climb the stairs once he was behind her. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to see how you were feeling today" he said.
"I'm okay. Really, I am" she insisted when Harry gave her a sceptical look. "Today's a new day, and I want to treat it like one, not think back to last night. But saying that, I really appreciate you helping me last night, Harry. No matter how many times Ron and I fight, it still affects me the same. I don't like seeing such an angry side to him."
Harry sighed as they climbed the stairs to the first floor. "Look, I know we've discussed this before and you always say the same thing, but are you sure this is the life you want? As much as I hate to say it, Ron isn't the same person he was in school, and neither are you. The Hermione I knew in school wouldn't put up with all this-"
"The Hermione you knew in school wasn't married with three kids" Hermione interrupted. "Leaving isn't that simple anymore, Harry. I want a family, and I have nowhere else to go anyway."
"But, Hermione, you have us. Me and Ginny, we would be there for you."
"Yes, and I'm sure Ron wouldn't see that as a betrayal on your part" Hermione said sarcastically. "You're Ron's best friend, and I am not going to be the cause of that breaking down. If I ever decide that I should leave Ron, which is unlikely, I need to be able to survive on my own. And with three kids that would be pretty hard right now."
"But-"
"Please, Harry" Hermione begged tiredly. "You're my best friend, but this is my life, and I will decide what I do in it."
They had reached the door of the room Hermione and Drake had stayed in, and Harry relented with a quick nod of his head. "Okay, Hermione, I'll drop it. I'm just worried about you."
Hermione smiled. "I know you are, Harry. And I love you for it."
She gave him a kiss on the cheek then turned into her room, and leaned on the door once she had closed it. She hated having these conversations with Harry because she felt like she was lying to him every time by not telling him the complete truth about Ron. But how could she? Like she told him, she didn't want to be the cause of Ron and Harry's friendship falling apart. They were best friends long before she joined their group, so it just seemed wrong that they could fall out because of her.
She also hated explaining why she was still in this relationship. But she supposed any outsider would feel the same as Harry and Ginny, unable to understand why she put up with everything. Her reasons were her reasons alone, and no amount of explaining could ever make someone truly comprehend her reasoning.
Hearing movement coming from the Moses basket in the corner, Hermione walked over to pick up Drake. Only being two weeks old meant he was still unbelievably tiny, and Hermione loved to look over all his small features with a smile. Right now he was squirming as he realised Hermione was standing over him, and he was impatiently waiting to be picked up and fawned over.
A few moments later and Hermione was perched on the edge of the bed with Drake held to her chest, sucking greedily as if he hadn't been fed in days. All the baby care stuff had become second nature to Hermione by now, and she wondered idly how Mrs Weasley felt about it all by the time she had Ginny. She wouldn't be surprised if she had figured out a way to do all the household chores at once while feeding her at the same time. The fact that she managed to raise all the other children (including Fred and George who were a handful on their own) at the same time was an achievement that deserved an award.
"I'm certainly glad you weren't a twin" Hermione spoke softly to Drake. "I've got my hands full enough as it is. What with you, Tom, and Amelia to look after, then the house to look after, and all these emotions that I can't figure out, I barely have time to think."
It was an odd habit Hermione had fallen into, to voice all her thoughts while she fed Drake. But at least it worked for the both of them – Drake got to become accustomed with her voice, and she could try to make sense of everything.
"I know it makes sense to leave Ron. Maybe I would even be happier if I did. But there's that word – 'maybe'. Maybe I'll be happy. Maybe he won't try and bring me back. Maybe I'll be able to support all of us wherever we end up. That just seems like a lot of uncertainty, don't you think? And I've always been a planner. Even when the plans just fell apart, at least I had one to start with. I just wish things were simpler."
Drake pulled his head away from her, and she shifted her hold on him so he was pressed upright against her while she gently patted and rubbed his back. As soon as he was settled, she shifted his position again so that she could comfortably carry him downstairs. She liked to use the few moments he was awake to let him see as much of his new world as he could, and she thought a quick trip around Grimmauld Place might be good. She slowly walked out the room and down the hall, making sure not to bounce him too much as they walked down the many stairs into the entrance hall, and then down into the kitchen.
Once they arrived there, she was glad to see Amelia and Tom had finished their breakfast and were ready to leave straight for school and nursery.
"Oh, Hermione" Ginny said when she saw she had entered the room, "Harry has offered to take Amelia and Tom to school for you on the way to work."
"Thanks, Harry" she said, turning to face Harry who was shrugging on a cloak.
"It's no problem" he smiled, then walked over to Ginny to give her a kiss goodbye. "I'll be home about five, that'll give me enough time to get ready for tonight. Do you think all day will be long enough for you to get ready?" he joked.
Ginny gave him a light slap on the arm. "I don't spend that long getting ready."
"Sure you don't" Harry replied with a grin. "I'll see you later." He then bent down to place a kiss on the top of James's head then ruffled his hair messily. "You be good for your mummy today. Love you."
Hermione watched the family with a smile that was ever so slightly tainted with sad jealousy. There were many times she had wished her and Ron's marriage resembled Harry and Ginny's, but she had told herself it was foolish to wish for something that was unlikely to happen. She had unconsciously let herself dream about unlikely outcomes when she spent time with Draco, and look where that had got her. Heartbroken and back in the dark place she had been before.
She quickly removed those thoughts from her head by turning to Amelia and Tom, giving them each a hug and kiss goodbye before Harry whisked them into the fireplace.
"So what's happening tonight?" Hermione asked Ginny once they had left.
Ginny stared at her like she had just declared she was going to start wearing Luna's butterbeer cork necklace. "The ministry ball?" Ginny replied like she was a bit slow. "The one you just about hexed Kingsley over to make sure he had it organised?"
Hermione sank into a nearby chair with a groan. How could she have forgotten? After the war finished and most of the aftermath had been cleared up, there was a lot of talk about various events to unite everyone while raising money for different causes. When Hermione had caught wind of the idea, she had demanded that an event be held to raise money and awareness for magical creature rights, as that had been an area she had hoped to work in once she had the opportunity. Unfortunately, her unplanned pregnancy had quickly stopped all those plans, but she was still determined to raise awareness. If she couldn't do the work, then maybe someone else would. Kingsley had initially been reluctant, not seeing it as important as other causes, but a visit from Hermione while she was heavily pregnant with Tom and filled with angry hormones had made him see differently. And the fact that she had pulled out her wand and threatened to hex him seemed to have helped too.
"I can't believe you forgot all about the ball" Ginny said as she sat in the seat opposite Hermione and next to James who was engrossed in a colouring book.
"Well I've been a little preoccupied" Hermione replied, gesturing to Drake in her arms, whose eyelids were starting to droop already.
"Right. Have you given any thought to that...situation since last night?"
Hermione nodded. "I have. And I'm still not sure. All my common sense is being pushed out by my feelings. I know I should tell him about Drake, but I'm just so afraid. How can I tell a man that hurt me so badly that I've had his son?"
"Look, I can't tell you what's right, or what you should do. The only one that can make those decisions is you. But you should definitely take his point of view into consideration. Yes, he hurt you. But you said yourself that maybe he loved you, and he's stubborn. It might just be that you annoyed and upset him, but he's too proud to let you know. So he pushed you away, which I'm willing to bet he regrets immensely. So maybe you should give him a chance."
"I don't know if I could go back to him-"
"I'm not necessarily saying you should go back to him. I'm just saying, talk to him. Tell him about Drake, and for once in both your lives, discuss your feelings. That's the whole reason you're in this mess, isn't it?"
Hermione took a deep breath. Could she tell Draco everything? While everything Ginny said made sense (and Hermione was always one to listen to sense) she wasn't sure she was emotionally ready to do it. Not yet.
"I don't think I'm ready yet. But... hopefully at one point I will be. And I'll tell him."
"Hopefully?" Ginny repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll do it" Hermione altered her statement. "I don't know when, but I won't leave it too late. One day, I will tell him the truth. I promise."
I set fire to the rain, and I threw us into the flames
Where I felt something die, cause I knew that that was the last time
Sometimes I wake up by the door, that heart you caught must be waiting for you
Even now when we're already over, I can't help myself from looking for you
Hermione looked through the sea of people, a hundred different faces that she barely knew or cared to be with. She had borrowed one of Ginny's dresses to wear to the ministry ball as she had no nice ones of her own, then waited for Ron to get home, prepared to do whatever it took to convince him to go to the ball with her. Luckily, he didn't put up much of a fight, and Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that he was just going because he would receive a rather negative stigma if he didn't accompany his wife. However, she far from in a party mood, and she was only really going because she had put up such a fight for this event to happen. Plus, she was desperate for some normalcy to return to her life, and she thought maybe this would be a good start, just attending a public party with her friends and husband.
However, it seemed that whatever power controlled everyone's lives had other ideas, as she recognised a pale, pointed face in the crowd, and she gasped.
This couldn't be happening, not here, not surrounded by people she knew. He had said he would stay away from her, yet here he was, presented with far too many opportunities to confront her, or worse, tell someone everything. Hermione span around, looking desperately for Ginny. Finally, she spotted her talking to Harry by the drinks table and hurried over.
"Sorry, Harry, excuse us for one minute" she said, dragging Ginny over to the side.
Ginny looked confused as Hermione pulled her away and stopped when they were out of earshot. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"He's here." Hermione stated. "The father, he's here."
Ginny gasped. "Drake's father? Where is he, has he spoken to you?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, but I'm worried he might, or he might say something to Harry or Ron, or anyone for that matter."
"Would he really do that? I thought you said he...cared about you." She had been about to say 'loved you', but wasn't sure if that would upset Hermione more right now.
"He did, might still, I don't know anymore, but he was pretty angry and upset last time I spoke to him, and people can do crazy things when they're like that. Especially him."
"But you said you would talk to him, Hermione."
"Not now!" Hermione exclaimed. "I am nowhere near ready to talk to him about that, and all I can think about is that he might still be so angry at me he'll do something to show me up."
Maybe Hermione was thinking up the worst-case scenario, but she had enough experiences with Draco Malfoy to know he was unpredictable. Hell, he was all for controlling the muggle world, humiliating her would probably be nothing to him. Easy, painless with little or no guilt.
"Fine, what should we do?" Ginny relented.
"I don't know, I need to speak to him..." She suddenly came up with an idea. It was risky, but it was the best she had. "Do you think you would be able to create a diversion? And I mean a big one."
Ginny nodded, grinning. "You don't grow up with Fred and George without knowing how to get people's attention."
"Good, because I need to be able to take him away from everyone, talk to him and make sure he isn't planning anything, then get back without anyone seeing us."
"Leave it to me. I'll give you five minutes, head over to him so you can quickly grab him when I start. I reckon I can get you ten minutes to talk."
"Thank you, Ginny" she said, hugging her. "You have no idea how much all this means to me." Ginny knew she wasn't just talking about this plan, but for being there throughout all this and not judging her too harshly.
"It's okay, now go. Oh, and Hermione?" Hermione turned back to look at her friend. "I promise I won't try and watch you. I know you don't want me to know who the father is yet."
Hermione felt tears forming in her eyes, and she whispered thank you before disappearing into the crowd. Ginny watched her for a moment, then turned and headed towards the elevators. This is going to be fun she thought with a smile.
Hermione gently pushed through the crowd of people enjoying themselves, searching for that familiar face she had come to know so well. With a slight pang, she remembered how much seeing that face would fill her with joy and she would look forward to seeing it again, almost counting the days. It was such a different feeling to now, when all that face reminded her of was pain. She dreaded seeing that face now.
Her heart suddenly fluttered when she saw him sitting by the dance floor, a drink in his hand while watching the couples dance. She slowly edged closer, but stopped just before he would notice her, and pretended to be waiting for someone while she looked onto the dance floor. As one couple moved away, she caught a glimpse of Ron dancing with a woman she recognised from work. They were dancing a little too close to each other, and Hermione watched in disgust as he slowly moved his hands down from her waist. But she supposed she couldn't really couldn't criticize him; was she really any better?
Suddenly there was a loud yell, and Hermione looked away from Ron to see people in the centre of the dance floor panicking and running around. With a small laugh, she realized Ginny had cast an extremely power Bat-Bogey hex on people crowded in the middle, creating a perfect chain reaction as they started to freak out, causing the people further away to panic at this unseen alarm. She never lost her touch, that's for sure she thought. She looked up to see Ginny hiding on one of the balconies on the next level, looking over the atrium. She couldn't help but smile when she saw that Ginny was in hysterics at the mayhem she was causing, but then she remembered the purpose of this big mess they were causing and turned to the table Draco had been sitting at, just in time to see him rise and start to walk away. Quickly, she rushed over and grabbed his arm, dragging him through a door to a deserted corridor.
"What the hell are you doing?" He yelled once he realised who was tugging him away.
"I could ask you the same question" she hissed, releasing his arm. "And keep your voice down."
"No-one will be able to hear us with that fiasco going on. What did you drag me here for?"
"To ask why you're here. You have no interest in magical creature rights, so why are you at a party for it?"
"For your information, being a Malfoy will get you invited to just about every gathering there is, whether you are interested in it or not. I'm simply living up to my name."
"That's all?"
"Why else would I be here Granger? I seriously considered not even coming because I knew you would be here. You never could stay away from an opportunity to make people support your little PUKE organisation-"
"For the last time, it's S.P.E.W!" she growled, hating him for using the nickname he had once called it when they were together. It just brought back a flood of emotions, and Hermione hoped his slip-of-the-tongue was eating away at his insides as painfully as it was eating away at hers.
"I don't care, Weasley, I don't care about any of this!"
"Then why did you come?" She asked quietly, trying to ignore the fact that he had called her Weasley. But wasn't that what she had wanted? So why did it hurt so much?
"I'm trying to have things back to normal, just like you wanted. Why else would I be here?"
"I...I thought that...maybe..."
"Just spit it out, Weasley!"
"That you were going to tell Ron. Or...or Harry, or anyone actually."
She watched Draco as she spoke, then took a small step back as he began to shake with rage, and a murderous look came over him, similar to the one he had when she had told him her name was Weasley, not Granger.
"You actually thought that I would sink so low as to tell everyone about us?"
Hermione didn't say anything, just watched him nervously.
"For fuck sake Hermione, I wouldn't do that! Believe it or not, after everything that happened, I still want you to have a good life! You're still going about it the wrong way, but if you think this path you've chosen is what makes you happy, fine then! I'm not going to make it worse than it already is, even if you are completely wrong!"
Hermione was taken aback. "I'm sorry."
"Why on earth would you think I would do that?" he demanded.
"I don't know. I hurt you, so I thought you would want to hurt me. People do crazy things when they're angry."
"Really? Well now I'm furious, so let's see how that works out!"
With that, Draco turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving Hermione alone and very confused.
For the next hour, Hermione nervously watched for Draco, hoping he still didn't want to tell anyone. When Ginny had come rushing over to her after everyone had calmed down (and she swore to a suspicious Harry she had been in the bathroom the whole time) she immediately asked how it went.
"Horrible" she had answered. "He said he didn't plan on telling anyone, but now I've just made him furious and he doesn't know what to do."
The next few hours were agonising, but she slowly began to calm down more as she saw little of Draco, and no-one had come charging over to her claiming to know her secret. She began talking to other people there, discussing rights and equality, even permitting herself to laugh now and then. At about nine o'clock, she was deep in conversation with Ginny, who was successfully keeping her distracted, until she noticed a blonde head purposely coming over to her. Oh no she thought. Surely he wouldn't do this...
"Evening, Weasleys" he said, smirking. Hermione recognised the determined look in his eyes, and knew this wouldn't end well for her.
Ginny, completely oblivious to the tension between the two people next to her, said "Hey, I'm a Potter now."
"Oh, of course, only one of you two is a Weasley now" he said turning to Hermione, who avoided looking him in the eye. "And how is that working out for you?"
"Very well, thank you" she answered quietly, still avoiding eye contact. She hoped she just came across to Ginny as uninterested in the conversation.
"Is it everything you hoped for?"
"Yes" she said, trying to make her voice sound firm, but heard it shaking slightly, praying no-one else could. "Ron's a great husband" she added, which was probably a bad move on her part.
Draco stared at her with a dark look before he turned to Ginny. "What about you, Potter, having fun playing wife and mother?"
"It's great" she said happily, but confused at Draco's friendliness. "Hermione and I were just talking about that."
"Oh that's right, you had another child" he said, turning back to Hermione. She gulped and closed her eyes for a moment. I can get through this, I can get through this, I can get through this...
"How is little Mackay doing?" he asked in a falsely conversational tone, and Hermione was surprised Ginny couldn't hear the malice behind his casual manner. She certainly could.
Shit she thought, opening her eyes and noticing Ginny's confusion towards the name. She's going to figure out something is wrong... "He's doing great thanks."
"You must be over the moon to have another little Weasley to add to your little happy family."
Hermione just nodded her head, praying he would leave soon. There was an awkward silence during which Draco continued to glare at her, while she avoided looking at him directly, and Ginny tried to fill it. "He's really a gorgeous boy. But I think you were misinformed, Mackay is his middle name."
"Oh really?" Draco asked, not looking away from Hermione, but seeming genuinely confused. Why would Hermione lie to him about her baby's name?
"Yeah" she continued, then was about to tell him 'his name is Drake' when it suddenly dawned on her. Being awkward around him. Refusing to tell her who the father is. The name and why Draco didn't know it properly...
Ginny gave a small gasp which was missed by Draco as he focussed on Hermione, but Hermione heard it and slightly turned her head to look at her. Ginny's eyes widened, and she desperately tried to find a way to get out of this mess.
Draco just began to ask 'what's his name then?' when Ginny interrupted him and muttered "I don't feel well." It was a complete lie, but Merlin knew she had drank enough that night for it to be believable. "Hermione, would you come to the bathroom with me?" She grabbed her hand, and Hermione wasted no time and let her drag her towards the bathroom. Hermione didn't know what to say, or whether Ginny was mad at her or not. She was just thankful she got away. Before they reached the bathroom, Ginny pulled them in a different direction, towards Harry and Ron who were laughing loudly.
"Harry, I'm not feeling very well, so I'm going to head home." Ginny informed him once she had his attention. "Hermione said she'll come with me to make sure I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" Harry asked. "I don't mind taking you home."
"No, you enjoy yourself, have fun, Hermione said she was tired anyway, right Hermione?"
She tugged lightly at her hand. Hermione could only nod, but Harry seemed satisfied and Ron...well, Ron didn't show the slightest bit of interest.
Harry leaned forward and kissed Ginny on the forehead. "Okay, feel better, I won't be home too late."
Ginny nodded and smiled, then lead Hermione over to one of the many fireplaces along the hall. "Don't say anything yet, Hermione, wait until we get home."
She didn't sound angry, but Hermione was still nervous. What on earth would she say anyway?
"Number 12, Grimmauld Place" Ginny said clearly, and stepped into the fire. Hermione hesitated, considering going somewhere else to be alone, but Ginny deserved to know the facts. Sighing, she picked up some Floo power and followed her.
You turn to me, cause you can't see
That there's a better way to be
So close your eyes and say goodbye
You've got to give it up, turn around
Walk away, don't look down
Hermione stumbled out of the fireplace, and fell into Ginny's waiting arms. Before she knew it, Hermione had burst into tears.
"Draco Malfoy?" Ginny sighed patiently. "All this trouble for Draco Malfoy?"
Hermione couldn't say anything, just continued to cry into Ginny's chest.
"And he has no clue he's the father?"
Hermione shook her head, but looked up to see Ginny watching her sympathetically. "He probably suspects something now. Why else wouldn't I tell him Drake's proper name?"
"Wait, you were the one who told him?"
"Yes, that was the last time I spoke to him. When he came to see me just after Drake was born, and I told him it was definitely over. I couldn't tell him Drake's name, he might have figured it out" she wailed, reducing to tears again.
"Well, I'm sorry to say, he probably will be suspicious now. And if he finds out his real name..."
Hermione didn't need her to finish. She may as well have just told him he was the father. He probably figured it out at the party... "Oh no" Hermione exclaimed, her tears stopping. "We left Draco at the party, as well as Harry and Ron!"
"I don't think he'll say anything. I'm not just saying that to make you feel better, either. I think his little confrontation with you was his limit. He just wanted to make you squirm, not ruin your life."
"It feels like he already has, he just doesn't know it."
They didn't speak for a few moments, Ginny letting Hermione wet her shoulder with constant tears, until she finally said "Are you sure you're making the right decision?"
"I think so" Hermione replied, her voice choked with unshed tears. "I've gone over the reasons I shouldn't leave Ron a million times, thinking about money, where I could go, how I could drag the kids along with me wherever I go... besides, I don't believe in just giving up and admitting defeat in my marriage. Maybe I could still make it work."
Hermione had to admit, that last excuse seemed pathetic even to her. Still make her marriage work? She had a feeling she hadn't had a marriage for a long time, longer than she had even realised.
"Hermione, you're miserable! And I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure Ron is cheating on you. Why put up with that?
"I know he's cheating on me, he's not exactly discreet. But I can hardly talk about how bad it is to cheat, can I? Besides, I was hoping the birth of Drake would bring us close together again."
"It hasn't exactly worked though, has it?" Ginny asked her. "And do you think you will get any closer when Drake gets older and becomes a mini Draco? Ron will figure it out."
"He might not look like Draco..."
"Oh please Hermione, now I know who the father is, it's hard to not see it even now. He will look like Draco, and Ron will be furious. And the wizarding world isn't that big. Chances are, Draco will see him some time, and he'll think he's looking into a mirror. Granted, a mirror that makes you look younger and smaller, but still." She added, trying to make Hermione smile, which she did.
Hermione wiped away some slightly-dry tears from her face as she thought through everything. She felt like everything had built up to this moment, every moment of her life since Ron had begun to change for the worse. The decision she would make today would affect the rest of her life, and maybe that was why she was so desperate to avoid it for so long. She could make as many excuses as she wanted, but the truth of the matter was that she was afraid. But she couldn't be afraid anymore. She didn't have that luxury.
"Ugh, you're right. I can't stay with Ron. But I can't go to Draco. I just can't. I can't even imagine facing him anymore."
"So, what are you going to do? What else can you do?" Ginny asked, worried about where Hermione's thought process was taking her.
"I have to leave." Hermione said simply. "Just leave with the children and start a new life."
Ginny stared at her with wide eyes, then shook her slightly. "Are you listening to yourself, Hermione? You can't just leave! That's ridiculous!"
"No, it's not. It's the best plan I've had in a long time. I'll keep in touch with you, I promise. But I've realised there isn't a place for me here."
Ginny stood back to look at her properly. "But, Hermione-"
"I don't have anywhere. I can't stay with Ron. I can't be with Draco. I won't rely on you and Harry because you are so close to Ron. My parents are in their old age and travelling the world. I actually have a bit of money saved up that Ron doesn't know about. It won't last very long, but hopefully it will be enough to last us until I find somewhere permanent for us. I don't want anything from him, so that should make it easier...You're right – all these reasons about not wanting a failed marriage, having nowhere to go, and doing it for the kids are useless. I'm just too afraid to do what I should."
Ginny felt tears forming, but knew her friend had made up her mind. "When will you leave, where will you go?"
"I'll go to the Leaky Cauldron, spend a few nights there and plan my next move. I feel so guilty dragging the children into all this uncertainty and unknown, but I've spent too long here. I should have left before Drake was born." Hermione took a deep breath. "I'll leave tonight."
"Tonight?" Ginny yelled. "I thought you would at least give it a week! Hermione, that's too soon!"
"I'm sorry, Ginny, but it has to be this way. I can't spend any longer here. I would appreciate your help to get ready, but if you can't do it I understand. You can leave."
Ginny stared at Hermione, both of them now crying. She was silent for so long, Hermione was sure that she was about to leave, and looked sadly at the floor. Then she heard Ginny take a deep breath.
"Of course I'll help you. Where should we start?"
Hermione looked up, a small smile growing on her face.
A couple of hours later, and Hermione had packed a bag with some clothes and a few basic items she would need. She had also helped Ginny with packing the children's things – Ginny packed Amelia's and Tom's things while Hermione packed Drake's. Ginny also decided to transport a few more things to her and Harry's house – that way, if Hermione or the kids wanted something, they could get it without risking a confrontation with Ron. She also said, against Hermione's better judgement, that she would gradually move more things, hoping if she did it slowly over time Ron wouldn't notice. Hermione knew she was letting her friend take a huge risk to help her, and she promised herself that she would make sure Ginny knew how much it all meant to her. She decided, despite Ginny's protests, to leave Ron a note, just so he knew she and the kids weren't kidnapped or in trouble, and no-one would know where they were. But even as she was writing, she wondered how much Ron would even care. Just as she was finishing the letter, Ginny entered the room carrying Hermione's beaded purse.
"Now for the hard part" Hermione said. They had to apparate to the burrow where Mr and Mrs Weasley were watching the kids, convince them that it was a good idea to wake the kids and take them home so late at night, and then convince the kids that they were going on a fun trip. It would be fairly easy to convince Tom, but Amelia would be a different story. Add in the fact that Hermione hated lying to her family and the whole plan was just asking to go wrong.
"Let me talk to mum, I'll convince her to let the kids go. I won't lie, she'll put up a fight. I think she misses having children of her own to depend on her completely" Ginny laughed.
She was right though; Mrs Weasley didn't understand the need to wake the kids or why it was so important that they go home.
"They're not a problem, really dear, I don't mind having them overnight. They can stay all of tomorrow too if you and Ron want a day to yourselves."
Hermione bit her lip and tried to maintain her composure. She realised now she wasn't just taking her children from Ron – she was taking them from the rest of their family.
"Mrs Weasley, I just think it would be a good idea to take them now. I promise you'll see them again soon." And despite how dangerous that might be, she was determined to keep that promise.
"Very well" she sighed. "They're in Fred and George's old room."
Hermione climbed the stairs with Ginny, noting sadly how Mrs Weasley still referred to the room as Fred and George's room. She gently pushed the door open and saw her children sleeping soundly, Amelia and Tom in the twin beds and Drake in a cot between them on the opposite side of the room. She took a deep breath before she entered. It was important she didn't break down in front of them.
She moved so she was between Amelia and Tom's beds, and she softly shook her daughter's shoulder until she woke up.
"Mummy? What's going on?"
"It's time to go sweetie" she replied calmly.
"But I'm tired, it's late" she said sleepily.
"I know honey, but you're going on a trip with me and your brothers, and we have to leave now."
"A trip?" She asked confused. "Is daddy coming too?"
Hermione hesitated for only a millisecond. "No honey, he isn't coming. He's busy. Come on, get dressed, quickly."
Hermione then moved over to her oldest son, deciding not to wake him. Instead she grabbed his coat from the nearby chair and put it over his pyjamas, then placed shoes on his feet. She picked up her son, still sleeping soundly, and turned to see Amelia fully dressed and Ginny holding Drake.
"Come one then." She held out her hand to Amelia who took it, and the group disapparated back to her house. As Hermione predicted, the apparation had woken both her sons and Tom whimpered in Hermione's arms while Drake began to cry.
"Shhh, it's okay, Tom, go back to sleep" she murmured, stroking his brown hair. Ginny was rocking Drake, cooing to him softly. Hermione walked over to the kitchen and grabbed the buggy, pushing it back into the living room. She gently placed Tom in it, then pulled her bag's strap over her shoulder. She then grabbed their baby sling and placed it around her, taking Drake from Ginny and placing him in it.
"Okay I think that's everything then. Amelia, say goodbye to your Auntie Ginny."
Amelia rushed forward to hug her, and Ginny gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Bye Auntie Ginny, love you."
"I love you too, Amelia, be a good girl, help your mum as much as you can."
Amelia stepped back and looked around. "Is dad still at the party? Didn't he want to say goodbye to us?"
Hermione looked at her, wondering what on earth she was meant to say. "He-he couldn't come, honey. But I've left him a letter saying goodbye."
Amelia's face fell. "Oh...okay." Truthfully, Amelia had an idea about what was going on. She knew her mum and dad didn't get on well and probably didn't love each other, and sometimes she saw her dad hit her mum. One time he hit her too. Amelia was scared of him ever since, but her mum always protected her after that, and warned her to stay away if he seemed in a particularly bad mood. She thought one day they would leave, and it looked like it was today. But she wasn't sure, so she wouldn't say anything. She didn't want to upset her mum.
"Hermione" Ginny said, holding her arms out towards her.
"Oh Ginny" Hermione cried, rushing into her arms. Hermione hugged her as tightly as possible, without crushing Drake between them.
"You be safe, Hermione. Call me as often as you can - thank Merlin you and Harry convinced me to get one of those mobile fellytones. And I'll let you know as often as I can what's going on around here in regards to Ron and Malfoy."
"Thank you, Ginny" Hermione said, her voice muffled against Ginny's shoulder. "You have no idea how much everything you've done means to me."
Ginny pulled away and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll miss you."
"This won't be forever, I promise. Eventually I'll settle down somewhere, I'm just worried about the kids." She looked over sadly to Amelia, who was keeping Tom entertained while he sat in his buggy. "This won't be easy on them – no permanent home, they won't be able to make friends for a while, they won't have a father..."
"They'll understand someday. And Amelia is a smart girl, I wouldn't be surprised if she already has an idea about what's going on and why you won't see Ron anymore."
"If that's true, she'll be more understanding, definitely. I'm worried about the questions she'll ask."
"And what about Malfoy?" Ginny asked. "Before tonight happened you said you'd eventually tell him the truth."
"I know, and I still plan on doing that once we're settled somewhere and I'm in a good place where I feel ready to tell him. I just want to start my life afresh, no previous commitments holding me back. And... if I discover that I still have feelings for Draco after all this... then I guess I'll do something about that."
Ginny nodded. "You still have feelings for him."
"Oh, Ginny, I don't want to, I really don't. But they're there, and it's making everything so much harder. It's why I need to do this, to just get away."
The clock on the living-room wall chimed. Looking over, Hermione and Ginny saw that it was now midnight.
"You have to go Hermione" Ginny said softly.
"I know."
Hermione took one more look around the room. There were so many memories of this room, some good, some bad. Opening presents on Christmas morning. Celebrating birthdays. Dancing around happily when she and Ron had just bought it, then him picking her up and spinning her around.
Then there were the bad memories. The numerous times Ron hit her. Him telling her she had to get rid of Drake before he was even born. The confrontations with Draco.
Hermione thought it would be hard to leave the place she had called home for so many years. But now when she reflected on it, it held nothing but bad memories that she had to escape. She needed a new life, and that meant leaving the place she had been trapped in for ten years. In the end, leaving would be one of the simplest things she had to do.
"Okay, Amelia, time to go." They all walked over to the fireplace, and Hermione grasped the buggy tightly with one hand, the other hand holding Amelia's. With tears in her eyes, she looked back at Ginny, who was already crying a few silent tears. Hermione couldn't help but join in.
"Bye, Hermione. I love you."
"I love you too Gin."
"Diagon Alley" Hermione spoke clearly, and the group disappeared into the flames, leaving Ginny standing alone in their old living-room.
So what do you think of Hermione's decision? I had spent a lot of time debating over whether or not she should do it, but it was the best option I could come up with for her. And for all you screaming 'no, you crazy witch, go back to Draco!' I apologise. I'm going to put in a flashback in the next chapter because we haven't had any lemony goodness in a while, and I miss it. And I'm really really going to try and update more frequently now. I hate leaving you waiting :)
Songs used
How To Save A Life by The Fray (I really loved the whole image of sitting someone down to discuss something, and thought this worked perfectly for Harry and Ginny trying to talk to Hermione)
Set Fire To the Rain by Adele
Easy Way Out by Charlotte Church (I used this in the last chapter as well, and I thought it was good because it completed the whole scene of Ginny talking to Hermione and she finally realises she should leave)
Feel like leaving a review? Go on, you know you want to :P xxx