The Curse of Love
Summary: Sequel to Destined to Love. Draco is back, but there's a problem. The curse of Love is about to take place, will Hermione and Draco be safe? Will their love win out? Or will they lose everything, including their unborn child?
Starring: Draco/Hermione (well…yea…), Harry/Ginny, Ron/Luna, Blaise/Lavender (eventual)
A/N: -
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Chapter 25:
Dinner Date
The next few days were amazing, the best of Draco's life. They stayed in Italy, knowing that his parents had returned to the Manor, two days ago. Yet he loved being here with her, alone. No other influences, no one else interfering. They hadn't slept together but they have been sleeping in the same bed. It was lovely. They didn't even need to leave the cabin.
"Come on, one dinner? Tonight?" Hermione pleaded that Friday night, "A lovely restaurant, English restaurant if you want."
"We don't need to leave," Draco pulled Hermione to him and kissed her nose gently, "We can stay in."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, "Draco…"
He kissed her softly on the lips, his own heart was racing. His mouth tingled as he pulled back, a feeling he was getting used to.
"But," Hermione managed ignoring her heartbeat, "A dinner date would be nice. A normal dinner."
Draco sighed, relenting, "Fine. There's an English Italian restaurant in the wizarding village."
"Great I'll get dressed!" Hermione beamed.
"Where's my thank you?" Draco grinned.
Hermione turned back and kissed him hard on the mouth, "You are the best."
"And don't you forget it," Draco grinned as Hermione ran out of the room. The last few days for him was perfect. He was keen on finding out who the father was but he didn't want to push Hermione. It was early days and she was pregnant. She would tell him, he knew she would. Knowing Hermione though, she won't tell him unless she has to or need to. All he knew was the father was not Pothead or Weaslebee. So that left many options. Not. Deep down Draco thought maybe, just maybe he knew who the father was. A muggle. He shuddered. He did not like that theory not one bit but he would support Hermione if it was a muggle father. As long as the babies looked like Hermione, it would not be a problem. At least he hoped not.
Hermione came back out in a red jumper and jeans, she wrapped her black robe around her as she headed to the door, "Are you coming or what?"
Draco grinned, "If we're apparating, why are you walking to the door?"
Hermione stopped, "Oh, I just wanted to...to look outside, lock the doors actually. Yeah I wanted to lock the doors before we left."
Draco smirked, "You know that no one can get into this place. A concept called magic, not sure you've heard of it."
"Purlease, I am the best witch of our time Draco Malfoy," Hermione poked him the chest.
Draco smirked, "Malfoy's are cocky."
She froze, but before she could reply he had apparated them. He was joking with her but she had been reminded of a time when she was a Malfoy. She hated her surname right now, more than anything she wanted to be in the future again. She held back her sigh as Draco led her to the restaurant, it was right at the back of the Wizarding village. It served cuisine from around the world. The outside was beautiful and white, tables were located outside, a few full of people, one with a pair of goblins.
"Won't this place have a dress code?" Hermione asked.
Draco shrugged, "Your in a robe. Dress code sorted." Hermione rolled her eyes.
They entered the restaurant, where the hostess beamed at them.
"Table for two, preferably a private one," Draco handed her a few gold coins.
"Of course Mr. Malfoy," she smiled, no where in the wizarding world would not know a Malfoy. Especially here where Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa were favourite customers. She had received an owl from Lucius, that if his son was to come, then they were to get the best treatment like they deserved. And anything that was 'complementary', the bill of said products should be sent to him.
Draco held Hermione's hand as they were led to a private booth on the side of the room.
"A waiter will be with you soon," the blonde beamed before leaving.
Hermione snuggled into the dark seats, "Wow these are comfy."
"I know," Draco smiled, sliding around the booth so he was next to her.
He kissed her gently on the lips.
"Have I told you you're beautiful?" Draco asked.
"Not today," Hermione replied snuggling into him.
"Complementary drinks sir," a waiter arrived with one fiery cocktail and one non-alcholic dwarf cocktail for Hermione. He placed the glasses down and left.
"That's nice of them," Hermione said grabbing the menu.
Draco smiled, "Steak's nice here."
Hermione nodded, "Sounds good."
As they sat, the lighting dimmed around the booth, isolating the rest of the restaurant from them.
"Romantic," Hermione said slowly.
"Yeah," Draco agreed as slow music began to play, "Bit weird isn't it?"
Hermione shrugged, "I don't really care to be honest. It's comfy."
"Are you ready to order?" the waiter returned.
"Two steaks with chips and veg," Draco ordered, "No starters, and two more of these drinks."
"Yes sir," the waiter smiled leaving.
Draco looked around, no one else was hearing the music, he was sure. Only he and Hermione. It was odd, regardless of what Hermione thought.
A lady with a basket of floating roses arrived, placing them on the table.
"How much for the lot?" Draco asked her.
"Complementary," she smiled disappearing.
"Okay, this is weird," Hermione said looking at the flowers, "There are three dozen roses in there."
"They're yours now," Draco shrugged, "They probably know I'm a Malfoy. In a few days I'll get a business contract sent to my house, that's why we're getting all this."
"And you don't mind that?"
"Not really. For them it's business, and we get to enjoy all this."
"Yeah but you're not going to invest are you, so it's not fair on them to shell out for all this," Hermione argued.
"If they send me a contract wanting me to invest, I will not be signing," Draco said, "But I will send them a few hundred galleons to help them. I will not be investing long term."
Hermione nodded, "Oh."
"Is that fair enough?"
Hermione shrugged, "Yes. I guess."
Draco grinned, "My father did not like to give away money."
"Did you ever have a financial crisis?" Hermione asked curiously.
Draco laughed, "Never. Highly unlikely for a financial crisis to happen in my future, or my granchildren's for that matter. After that, who knows. Did I ever tell you about my father's law firm?" Hermione nodded, "Well the money increases from that, and there are small investments here and there."
"Interesting," Hermione sat back.
"Your family, it's different," Draco said softly.
"Yeah, there's no big inheritance. My parents will leave me and Alex the house and what ever money but I doubt it will be much, but you never know, they might hit oil."
"Why would they want to hit oil?" Draco asked raising his eyebrow, "How do you hit oil?"
Hermione laughed, "I meant strike oil."
"It is the same thing. Violence against oil."
Hermione chuckled as the food arrived, "Forget it Draco, it's a muggle thing."
Draco shrugged. Muggles were weird.
"So, energy levels up?" Hermione asked.
"Why, what do you have in mind?" Draco grinned as he took a bit of his steak.
Hermione blushed, "I meant can you enter my mind yet, are you…"
"No, my mental strength is not strong enough. I have a confession."
"Go on."
"Two days ago while you were sleeping, I went to the doctors."
Hermione dropped her fork, "Why? What happened?"
"Routine appointment but I was scared, really scared that something was wrong."
"Why?"
"Because of the mixed up memories. Like the one of Blaise with gnomes," Draco sighed.
"What happened at the doctors?"
"My brain activity is high, nothing is wrong. I'm getting better. The cure is a matter of weeks maybe even days away," Draco smiled.
Hermione kissed his cheek, "Next time wake me up and take me with you. We're a couple, are we not?"
"Yes dear." Draco grinned.
"Not dear, no. Reminds me of my parents."
"Darling?"
"No."
"Love?"
"No."
"Honey bunny?"
Hermione chuckled, "No!"
"Just Mia then," he whispered kissing her cheek gently.
Hermione smiled, "Mia it - oh my!" She dropped her fork again.
"What? Too much lemon? Ginger? Mushrooms?" Draco asked, anticipating her throwing up.
"No...oh," she whispered and smiled.
Hermione took his hand, "Here, feel…" she placed his hand on his stomach.
"Your stomach is alive," he whispered as he felt the baby kick.
Hermione moved her hand to the other side, "Look, both of them are...oh, ow that hurts a little."
Draco smiled and looked at Hermione. This was it. This was his family now. These babies would have him as a father, Hermione as a mother and it was perfect. If he could treasure this moment forever, he would die a happy man. He kissed her, as a tear slipped from her eyes. It was all real for her now. This was it. These were her babies kicking, hers and Draco's.
"Today has been perfect," Draco whispered against her lips.
"It really has," Hermione whispered. She pulled back as the tablecloth began to change, she laughed.
"Ridiculous," he laughed at the red tablecloth which now had hearts printed on it.
Hermione grinned, "What next, I wonder?"
Draco smiled. What next? If I had a ring, I'd ask you to marry me right now...hah, a ring...there are a few jewellers around here….maybe later I might just...or is it too soon? Do I love her…… it feels like I do……….I'll tell her. Tonight.
"Draco, you tuned out," Hermione smiled at him.
"Sorry," he replied, "You mean the world to me Mia."
"You mean the world to me too," Hermione replied.
"I…" he started, no it was too soon to say it. Tonight, the perfect date, and he would propose too, he would. "I'm glad I have you in my life."
She wanted to hear three little words but she was happy that he had said that, it was better then saying other things, like I'm glad we're friends, "Draco, you're getting soft," she teased.
Draco chuckled, "If you want me to prove my evilness, I will throw this broccolli at an old pensioner."
"Don't you dare!" Hermione warned.
"You said I was…"
"Your not soft," Hermione said with a pout, "Happy?"
"Very," Draco grinned kissing her, "Eat up, I want dessert."
"It's not fair that you can eat like a pig and not gain weight," Hermione sighed.
"You're not fat, you're pregnant."
"Funny, very funny," Hermione rolled her eyes.
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The next day………
After lunch, Draco had made his excuses to Hermione, telling her that he had to meet with the designers for the Potion company. He would be back for dinner. Hermione had reluctantly let him go. The day was boring. She had gone back to the village, walking and bought a photo album. The whole time they had been in Italy, they had taken many pictures, starting with the snowmen. Hermione smiled as she placed the last one in the holder. Her finger ran over one of Draco still asleep in bed.
Last night was perfect. Extremely perfect and the baby kicking...her heart had skipped. She had loved that moment that Draco had placed his hand over her belly and smiled and kissed her. It was perfect. Yet now her heart felt heavy. Draco didn't know he was the father and it was killing Hermione. She sighed and stood up quickly. She went to her room and stood in front of the mirror.
"Ok…" Hermione said to her reflection, "Draco, you are everything to me but I have been keeping a secret...no…" Screw Dumbledore's idea, I have to tell him.
She took a deep breath and tried again.
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He popped back into the cabin. He was going to make Hermione's day even more perfect. A black velvet box sat in his pocket. He loved her. He was going to tell her that and if not propose today, then in a few days. He had set up a picnic which they would take outside. He had contacted his father and he had told him how to change the weather. It was going to be perfect.
He picked up the album he found on the floor and smiled, Hermione had did this. He flicked the pages and images of Hermione waved at him, him cuddling her, him holding her, him kissing her. He wanted the rest of his life to be like this. Never had he felt so much happiness. Never.
He walked up the hallway till he was outside Hermione's bedroom. He was about to knock when he heard her talking.
"Draco, I love you," she was saying.
Draco grinned, she was practising.
"I love you more then you know. You mean everything to me but...I need to tell you something. Something very important….something you found out when I told you I loved you before….no not like that."
Draco stood back, what did she need to tell him? She had told him she loved him before? When?
FLASHBACK
Hermione nodded, "I was so scared, I thought I'd never see you again and…"
"I love you," Draco blurted out.
Hermione stared at him.
"I have never felt like this, the thought of losing you scared the life out of me…I love you Hermione…I love you."
Hermione smiled at me, "You beat me to it. I love you too Draco, I never want to be apart from you again."
Draco leaned forward and kissed her softly.
End of flashback
He fell back against the wall silently. He held his head, when was that? Why was she scared? She loved him…
FLASHBACK
No one could tell who was in more shock, Draco or Hermione.
"She's what?" Draco asked again.
"Pregnant Mr Malfoy," the healer repeated.
END OF FLASHBACK
I was there, I was there when she found out but….she loved me. What does this mean? Surely it can't mean…
FLASHBACK
"A baby," Hermione whispered. "A baby…"
"Our baby," Draco added as he kissed her tenderly.
END OF FLASHBACK
He nearly fainted. He was the father...
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A/N: Dum dum dum!
Another cliffy. I know its a bit soon for some of you and not too soon for others but it's happened, Draco remembers. Now how will he react. The sooner you review, the sooner I update because the next chapter is ready to be posted….well almost.
And thank you for all the reviews! :D
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Coming Up: Draco confronts Hermione and makes a decision that may change his and Hermione's future - and not the obvious decision.