Draco's Choice Chapter 10
By HPFangirl71
Ginny and Draco had both agreed that what happened that nite at Ginny's flat was a one time deal. They were much better friends now tho, which annoyed Ginny's brother Ron and delighted Draco. He needed a friend right now more than he ever had and only Ginny seemed to understand him lately.
Ron and Hermione were planning to remarry in just three short weeks. Draco's heart still ached for Hermione. He was terribly lonely especially since moving out of the manor. Pansy had been shocked when he had come home to announce he wanted out of their marriage. Draco had finally realized that Hermione was more important than his stupid inheritance. The only problem was that he had realized it far too late. Hermione was gone, in Paris vacationing with Ron. He desperately wanted to talk to her. To change her mind about his being part of the baby's life. He didn't want his child being raised by someone else especially Weasley of all people. They had never gotten along not even after the war. Ron was one of those few people who still saw Draco as nothing more than a former death eater.
Draco was now living in a small farmhouse, living entirely off his ministry salary. He was still well off but not as extravagantly rich as before. His father and Pansy had seized all other assets of his. Lucius vowed to take care of his grandson and daughter in law, but had disowned Draco when he had told Pansy he was leaving her for another woman. Pansy was refusing to let him see his son which was what he had long feared. His lawyers were working on that little problem. Draco didn't want to bring lawyers into his affairs with Hermione but feared it might be the only way. She was a stubbornly independent woman and would not just simply come running back to him. That was why he had left Pansy. It was the only way he knew to show Hermione that he loved her. In fact he loved her enough to risk it all for her.
Draco was still having nightmares but now the woman's voice was recognizable. It was his true love Hermione calling to him and still he couldn't reach her. Draco kept being pulled back into the darkness which threatened to suffocate him. Draco knew he had to battle the darkness to reach his true love. It was the only way to forget the past and live a happy future. He desperately loved Hermione and would stop at nothing to get her back.
The office party was in full swing by the time Draco arrived. Normally he didn't attend these parties unless they were directly related to his department. This party was different, a celebration of Ron and Hermione's engagement. It cut through Draco like a sharp knife to see them together but he couldn't stay away from her. He drank in her loveliness, letting it fill him with courage. The swell of her belly was more pronounced and Draco found it oddly enticing. She was after all carrying his child inside her. Despite everything that had happened between them, Draco still felt pride in knowing she carried his baby within.
Finally after a couple drinks Draco decided to go congratulate the happy couple. Draco approached them with his usual cocky air. Ron instinctively and possessively slid his arm around Hermione's waist, his hand resting upon her rounded belly. A look of jealous rage flashed in Draco's eyes yet outwardly he remained calm and collected. "Well, well, well…. Congratulations Weasley." he quipped politely. "What do you want Malfoy?" Ron asked him with an icy edge to his voice. Draco gave a cold glare and replied "Nothing really except to dance with the mother of my child." Ron looked at him with contempt and retorted "Sod off, Malfoy." Draco offered Hermione his hand and looked at her pleadingly "Hermione, Please…." She gave Ron a reassuring look before taking the hand offered her. "Its alright Ronald. Draco and I have a few things to discuss. I'll only be a moment."
They drifted out onto the dance floor leaving Ron to glare jealously at them. Draco put his arm around Hermione's waist, pulling her as close as her tummy would allow. "How's the pregnancy?" Draco asked her "I mean I haven't seen you in a bit, I was wondering how the baby was." Hermione smiled with pride at him. "She's doing fine." Draco returned her smile. "So it's a girl…?" "Yes, a healthy little girl. She's already showing signs of magical ability. Its rare in the womb you know." Hermione was gushing as she relayed her good news. Draco drank in that beautiful smile like an intoxicating beverage. "Well her mother's a very smart, very beautiful witch. What did you expect?" he smiled cheekily at her. Hermione blushed slightly and thanked him for the compliment. Draco brushed a stray curl from her cheek, "Hermione, I whish…" She cut him off before he could finish. "Don't Draco… Not tonite… tonite is Ron's nite to be happy, don't ruin it." Draco looked at her curiously, "…. and what about you….?" She blushed deeply which made her look even more lovely. "I know I screwed up Hermione, if you'd only give me another chance." She looked at him with such emotion in her beautiful eyes. "I can't give you another chance with my heart but I will give you a chance with our daughter…. Just don't screw this up Draco or I'll never forgive you." He looked at her with gratitude. "Thank you Hermione, I promise you won't regret this." As he looked into her amber eyes he felt a glimmer of hope enter his heart. He could see the love hidden deeply within her heart written in those eyes. For the first time in the past few weeks Draco felt whole again cause he knew he had a chance to win her back and it gave him something to truly live for again. Hermione and his daughter were his world and he knew he would have to fight to get them back.