DISCLAIMER: I own zero of the things! Not one!
Chapter 12
Hermione nervously flattened the front of her dress. She pulled her scarf down to hide the bare skin left uncovered by her v neck blouse.
She jumped adruptly when Draco's cold hand clasped her knee.
"Draco—Wha—
"You're going to shake the table over." He flashed her a small smile. Raising his brows as he looked down at her legs.
"Oh..right." She shifted in her chair and straightened. "I thought your mother was always punctual."
Draco turned to her, his expression now blank and serious.
"It is…odd." He looked down at his watch. "We will wait a bit till I owl the manor."
Hermione nodded slowly.
"Butterbeer then."
Hermione's stomach turned as he flashed her another smile, the weight of his now warm hand leaving her knee. She blushed and nodded her approval. The knot she felt in her stomach loosened as she felt her entire body flutter.
Draco sighed anxiously and flagged down their waiter.
…...
Ginny shivered as she twisted her wet hair up in a bun. She pulled her scarf and robe on tight, grabbing her bag and broom quickly. She rushed out of the Quddittch changing rooms, late to meet Blaise for dinner, shivering in the cold.
As she rounded the corner to the Great Hall, she cried out as she collided with another person.
Reveling, but still on her feet, she focused pushing her hair back.
"Harry."
Harry straightened himself and bent down to retrieve his bag. "Aw, sorry about that Gin."
They stood in front of each other for a few seconds before hugging awkwardly.
"Aw…how are you doing..with uh, everything?"
Ginny's eyes roamed the hall, trying not to focus on the awkward tension between them.
"Everything is…swell..Harry..I—
"That's great! I'm glad." Harry reached out adruptly to catch Ginny's bag falling from her shoulder, it didn't fall to the ground, so his awkward arm stretch only made the situation worse.
"Well I am meeting Bla—
"Of course, of course—
Ginny's heart dropped on the subject but she couldn't bite her tongue as the thoughts came to the front of her mind. She knew she shouldn't, but the words starting flowing like vomit.
"Harry?"
Harry stepped back as he began to move away from her. "Yeah Gin?"
"Were you—
She stopped, closing her eyes briefly, already regretting the conversation. She wiped the strands of hair falling from her bun out of her face.
"Were you always faithful?" She caught her breath realizing she'd shouted. Dropping her voice to a whisper. "I mean, this—"
Harry winced at the question, he was staring at her confused.
"This—this new thing with Pansy, it just seems—
Harry furrowed his brow and scratched his forehead.
"It just seems that things may, could have started early." Ginny stumbled on her words, her face turning red.
Harry nodded.
"I mean..if—
Harry nodded again, frustrating Ginny.
"It doesn't matter anyway, I really shouldn't be—
"Ginny, I was never unfaithful." Harry sighed softly.
Ginny nodded slowly. They were both staring off behind one another now. Ginny's face was burning, the embarrassment was overwhelming.
"I was lonely, when we ended things.. I was lonely." Harry looked over his shoulder as he heard Pansy's voice in the distance. "I know it's extremely..odd. I am aware."
Ginny scoffed.
Harry nodded and blushed. "She was there, I didn't want to admit it myself at first, neither of us did, we lied and pretended to still hate each other."
Ginny nodded, now feeling miserable for thinking the worst.
"She can be awful when she wants to." Harry smiled softly and took Ginny's hand. "She can also be this really sweet, interesting, mental person..that I really care about."
Ginny smiled patting Harry's hand on hers and removing it.
"I'm glad Harry…I'm sorry I—
"No, I know what you must have thought.. what everyone thought." He straightened and began to turn away as Pansy was almost in earshot. "I just didn't want to lie anymore about what I felt."
Ginny took in a breath as she watched him walk towards Pansy, embrace her and walk into the Great Hall. Lless than a year ago she thought she was in love with this man, that she was going to marry this man, now he was married to someone else, having a child with someone else.
Her eyes fell on Blaise, who was staring at Harry suspiciously, his eyebrows raised, his hand tight on his goblet. Ginny walked briskly into the Great Hall, a big smile on her face.
…...
Draco took a final look at his watch. He stood and pulled coins from his pocket.
"I'll owl the manor, we can get on with our night I suppose..mother must have—
Hermione grabbed his arm and pulled him back down to his seat.
"Draco what is—
"Draco!"
Narcissa was coming towards them, a huge smile on her face. They eyed her suspiciously, the atmosphere couldn't be anymore awkward. Hermione grimaced as she locked eyes with the woman on Narcissa's arm. Daphne Greengrass.
Draco stood to greet his mother. "Mother, you're late..and—
"Oh Draco, I was caught with—
Daphne flung herself on Draco, throwing her robe on the chair across from him. "Don't be angry with your mother Draco, she was caught up with me and my foolishness."
Draco nodded and stepped back from Daphne. His gaze falling to Hermione who hadn't moved an inch.
"Mother, Hermione and I wanted to have an early dinner with you, as we are—
"Oh Draco! I hope you haven't planned anything we have so many things to discuss." Narcissa hummed loudly.
"Yes, actually mother I—
Hermione shifted in her seat, Daphne had an evil smirk on her face, she was boring into Hermione wickedly.
"Draco you couldn't possibly—
"Draco and I made plans today Narcissa." Hermione and Daphne exchanged slow looks of distaste.
Narcissa froze, her eyes finally acknowledging Hermione. Daphne snickered softly.
"Narcissa, we've interrupted a date night."
Draco blushed deeply, nodding to Hermione. "Mother, we came to visit you..but also—
"I see, you wanted time alone, with your wife…that you see, everyday.." Narcissa sighed loudly. Waving for the waiter. "Well, we should finish quickly then Daphne, we won't have time at all to sit with Drac—
"Mother, please." The tension was making Draco uncomfortable.
Hermione huffed, she was fuming inside and she hated that she was. What the hell was Daphne doing here?
"Mother, you have my time.. no hurry."
Narcissa nodded, removing her gloves. She ordered quickly. Dismissing their Butterbeers, ordering tea for the table. "Draco, my visit today is rather opportune."
Draco's eyebrows raised. "How so?"
Narcissa and Daphne exchanged looks. Narcissa's face lit up.
"Oh Draco! I've found a solution for all of this!"
Draco nodded slowly. "Solution for what?"
Narcissa and Daphne exchanged another look. Both of them turning to Hermione.
"A solution for your marriage Draco."
Without thinking, Draco's hand fell to Hermione's thigh. He felt her fight or flight response ignite and the last thing he wanted was the rest of their day ruined by the apparent folly his mother brought with her.
"Mother, are you feeling alright?" Draco was confused and trying his best to find his mothers intentions.
"Draco, you can marry Daphne..just like we've always planned and you can—
Draco's eyes widened. He didn't know what he expected, but this was not it.
"Mother, what-
Hermione jumped up, heated and unable to contain her anger and embarrassment. Draco pulled her back down, patting her shoulder.
"Hermione. Please, wait." Hermione huffed, rolling her eyes and staying still under the pressure of Draco's arm.
"Draco, I will not—
"Draco, this is all ridiculous! The past few months can all be erased if you just listen to—
"Mother, I don't understand."
Narcissa stopped, raising her brow. "Draco—
"Mother, did you think this was something you could've told me...privately? What discovery could you have made that—why is Daphne here, what is the meaning of-
"Theodore." Daphne smiled smugly. Taking Narcissa's hand she smiled to her, then to Draco. "Theodore has the support of many families that want to overturn the ministries decree, with enough support and that of the Malfoy's we can—
Keeping Hermione in place was becoming difficult. Draco took her hand and gave her a pleading look.
"I want nothing to do with Theo—
"He poisoned your son!" Hermione shouted, unable to contain herself anymore, she couldn't believe this scene was playing out in front of her.
Narcissa rolled her eyes. Eying the tea floating to their table. "Allegedly."
Hermione's eyes grew big, pushing Draco away from her. "Draco, I am leaving."
She grabbed her robe, and bag, storming out of the café.
…..
Narcissa sighed, reaching for Draco's hand. "Draco, listen to Dap—
Draco frowned, snatching his hand back from his mother. "Mother! Why would you do this?"
"Why would I do this?" Narcissa frowned. "I want my son to be happy, justice is being served and you are—
Draco shook his head, rising from his chair.
"Draco!"
Draco stopped moving, staring at his mother.
"Draco, have you forgotten your future? Your destiny to—
"Mother—
"To do everything your father and I—
"Mother—
"Draco are you really prepared to settle with that—that mud—
"Mother, STOP!"
Narcissa and Daphne jumped, Draco shook the table as he stood angrily.
"Don't call her that." He shook his head.
Narcissa sighed, staring at her son.
"Son, you've forgotten who are you."
"Mother I have not-
"If the opportunity to change all of this—" Narcissa paused, turning to Daphne who was staring at Draco shocked. "Don't you want your life back?"
…..
Hermione huffed. She was storming around London, in complete shock at what she'd just witnessed. How could she have been so silly as to believe Draco actually wanted to spend time with her. This had all been a ruse to embarrass her, and Daphne Greengrass? She couldn't believe any of it. She was furious.
This has to be one of the most embarrassing days of her life. Embarrassing and confusing. This tangled web of lies and chaos Theodore was making. It was beginning to frighten her.
She let out a few deep breaths, steadying herself against a pole. Catching a tear rolling down her cheek, she shook the emotions away. She had never felt more humiliated.
"Hermione!"
Hermione looked around, she heard her name in the distance, but didn't see anyone familiar. She crossed the street and heard it again.
"Hermione!"
Hermione turned, she could see flashes of white hair flying through the crowded street. She turned away. As she continued walking steadily, he got closer.
Draco reached out to turn her around but she shook his arm off.
"Hermion—
"Draco don't!"
Draco stopped walking.
"Hermione, I had nothing to do with this!"
Hermione turned to him, stopping momentarily. "Well what a joke! I don't believe you!"
Draco sighed. Jogging to keep up with her pace now.
"Hermione!"
Hermione wouldn't stop.
Draco sped in front of her, putting a hand on both of her shoulders. They struggled for a few seconds before Hermione sighed and surrendered her attention.
"Hermione—
"Draco, I don't need to hear you apologize for being yourself, I should've known—
"I had no idea my mother knew about Theodore." He caught his breath, letting his hands drop.
Hermione eyed him suspiciously.
"I haven't spoken to Daphne in months."
She stepped back from him, nodding. This was all to odd to digest but she knew he was telling the truth.
"Then, what does all of this mean?"
Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I haven't the slightest idea, Blaise and I haven't been able to get any information out of Theodore or his followers…it's all mad."
Hermione's eyes fell to the ground. Tears were beginning to come forward and she didn't want Draco to see them, she was overwhelmed and annoyed by all of this.
"I really wanted today to be.. with you." Draco's eyes fell to the ground as well, his face was bright burning after his confession.
"Yeah, so did I."
Small smiles coming to both their faces, Draco arched his arm and held it out to Hermione. "Shall we?"
…...
Narcissa shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Daphne hummed softly and sipped her tea.
"Well?" Narcissa glared at Daphne, pulling her scarf around her neck. "Now that my only son hates me, am I free to go?"
Daphne chuckled.
"Oh, Cissa-
"Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa hissed at the girl and moved away from her.
Daphne smirked, pulling her own scarf around her neck, she rose and watched Narcissa get to her feet.
"He doesn't hate you Mrs. Malfoy." She pulled her robe tight, looking around the table and slowly into Narcissa's eyes. "Not yet."
Narcissa let out a loud sigh as she watched Daphne walk away. How she had managed to entangle herself in Theodore's plans to overthrow the ministry she couldn't believe. All she knew was that Draco couldn't find out what she was keeping from him, how Theodore had found out, she didn't know, but if it meant Draco hating her guts to keep him safe, it was a precaution she had to take.
*****THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!***** This is obviously a filler chapter, I'm sorry I'm a bit out of touch with the story (it's been awhile for me too), my life has changed so much! I will not be abandoning my stories! I am excited to keep this one going, this chapter was a refresher and a means to update. If you have ideas share them! Theodore and his nasty little plans, and he's got Narcissa on board.. for now.
Thank you all for the kind reviews and I hope my edits of previous chapters answered all of your questions, thanks for the spell corrections on names! I will have another chapter that will provide more context and substance, I promise. Also check out my other story "Therapy" , I will be updating that one very soon, and I still have plans for a Bill story coming soon!
