AN: Love you guys! Enjoy!
Hermione woke up the next morning in agonizing pain. She just knew parts of her were going to be black and blue. She looked around the bedroom and thankfully Ron was already gone. She got up and went to the bathroom looking over herself. Having bruises littering her usually soft pale skin from the neck down, she quickly gathered her wits and with a wave of her wand concealed them the best she could.
Making her way down the stairs she spots Eltan watching cartoons on the telly. She smiles at him before going to the kitchen to whip up a quick breakfast. She got lost in her thoughts. She could do this on her own, the two didn't need him. She checked on her vault the day before. She had secretly been depositing money into her private vault in case of emergencies. She had a fair bit put away by this point.
This was the day; she would no longer wait for Ron to change into the man they needed him to be. No, no more of the abuse. No more of him reminding her about her "mistake of a son." Without disturbing the little blonde in the living room, she made herself busy around the house. Packing anything and everything that was theirs.
Hermione had bought a small cottage near the water the year before without Ronald knowing, this is where they would stay. Hoping he would not come looking for them. Gathering the last of their things, Hermione shrunk them down to fit into her beaded bag.
Sitting down at the dining table she wrote a letter to Ronald. She told him she would be sending him divorce papers soon and to please stay away from them. Then writing a quick letter to Harry, Ginny and the Weasley's, promising to tell them everything soon.
"Eltan, sweetheart, it's time to go." She called to him up the stairs.
"Coming mummy." He shouted down to her. "Are we leaving daddy?" he asked once he landed at the bottom.
"Oh, honey, yes. Daddy does not seem to understand some things and right now it is best we leave," she told him, picking him up and resting him on her hip. Eltan just nodded, giving his mum a small smile.
Hermione waved down a cab and gave the driver the address to their new home. The cab ride was never-ending. Eltan had fallen asleep by the time they reached the small yet elegant cottage. The humble building was surrounded by breathtaking flowers and vines. The vines were strategically placed to form an archway to the front door. Her precious boy in one arm and her bag in the other, she walks to the door and opens it slowly so as not to wake the small boy. It was just as beautiful as she remembered. Walking inside and flicking on the light, she lays Eltan on the plush cream-colored couch.
Wanting nothing more than to unpack and shower, she opened her bag and began moving things into place. Everything slowly coming together.
Taking a quick shower and checking on her son, she checks the locks and sets up her wards before going to take a short nap in her room. She awoke hours later not knowing what time it was. Getting up quickly she searched for Eltan. Finding him in his bedroom reading one of his many books.
"What are you reading?" she asked as she sits beside him on the floor, pulling the boy in her lap.
"Hogwarts: A History," he answered returning to his book. A smile spread across the witches lips, her favorite book. They sat in silence, Hermione reading over his shoulder and answering his questions if asked.
"Are you hungry?" she questioned, standing from her spot on the floor. He smiles and nods his head. "How about we go to the Leaky Cauldron?"
"Yes, please."
Hermione put her hair into a quick updo. Forgetting to put concealment charms on her neck and making her way out the door, Eltan in tow. Not long after the duo walks into the Leaky Cauldron, finding a table and ordering their usual. They came to the small place twice a week for dinner for the last two years. One of the staff knowing of her situation usually picked up their meals. Hermione hated that, hated being pitied.
More people started entering the small building. Eating and talking amongst themselves. That was until a certain blonde caught sight of her. He had yet to notice the boy sitting with the brunette. He had not seen her since the ball in their 8th year. She was even more breathtaking now than she was then. Shaking his thoughts out of his head, he makes his way toward her table. She was talking to someone; Draco could not see who. As he reached her table, he noticed the small boy. Not really taking in the boy's appearance, Draco turns towards Hermione.
"Hello, Miss Granger. It has been quite a while since I've seen you." Draco smiles at her softly. Looking down to her neck, seeing the bruising, but not saying anything at the time.
Hermione looked up at the man before her. Her thoughts instantly racing. Is this going to be the day he finds out about his son? Less than 24 hours after I left Ronald. Quickly, shaking her head Hermione smiles in return, "Yes it has been quite a while Draco. How have you been?"
"Wonderful actually. Dad, mum, and I decided to tear down the old manor, in its place our new one was built. Dad and I have been running our family business. What about you? Have you been working for the Ministry?"
"No. I've been a stay-at-home mum for the last 5 years. Well, for the most part, I run my own business from home as well. Luna and Ginny manage it."
Draco finally looking at the small boy in front of him, "What is your name young man? How old are you?"
"My name is Eltanin Fredrick Weasley and I am five years old. Mummy calls me Eltan though, so I suppose you can call me that also." Eltan smiles at the older wizard, then turning back to the book he had brought with him.
"Wow Hermione, he's a dashing young man," Draco told her adoringly, all the feelings he had suppressed the last six years coming right back up to the surface. Knowing that that could've been him with her instead of the Weasel King.
"Well thank you very much Draco, but I am afraid we will have to get going. I must get him to bed soon." Hermione picked Eltan up and scurried out of the Leaky Cauldron quickly before Draco could piece everything together. She suddenly makes an appearance in his life and he goes weak in the knees. That witch will be the death of him. He still fancied the curly-headed witch. He still had hope though that he would find his mystery woman from Hogwarts.
~Flash Back to 6 years ago at the 8th year graduation Ball~
Everyone had shown up to the ball in plain clothing with the instruction of not dressing up because they had planned everyone's outfits for the evening. Hermione and Draco had been getting on quite well that year, her having forgiven him for his past. They had grown close as friends. Hermione was still not together with Ron, Draco felt as if he had a chance with her. He was going to ask her tonight once the ball had started. Much to his dismay as they entered the Great Hall no one could tell who the others were. At least that was the case for most of the students. Hermione knew which boy was Draco the moment she had seen his hair. A little masquerade mask couldn't hide the Malfoy heir's platinum locks. Draco had started to drink, upset that his plan had fallen through. Hermione herself had begun drinking a little too much. Next thing you know, the two had found one another. Draco still no knowing who she was.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Draco had asked her huskily.
"As long as it is with you." She responded and off they went, down the corridors into the Room of Requirement.
Clothes came off in heaps, the only thing to stay on was their masks. Draco peppered hot kisses from her neck to her hips, tasting every inch of the witch in front of him. Her hands quickly found his rock-hard member and stroking it painfully slow. Draco pushed the witch back softly onto the bed and without hesitation thrust himself inside her, slowly feeling up the tight space. Neither one of them talking, just relishing in the motion of their bodies with one another. The woman had left in the early hours of the morning, leaving Draco frustrated with who she could have been.
~End of Flashback~
Draco finished his glass of fire whiskey then apparated back to the manor. Making his way up to his room his mind wandered back to Hermione. Wondering why he hadn't seen the Weasel with them. Thinking about the bruising on her neck. Weasley wasn't stupid enough to put his hands on her, was he? Had something happened between the two? Was there now a chance for him to whisk her away? Draco pushed the thoughts back and laid down in his bed. Hoping that just maybe he'd see her and her familiar looking son again.
AN: Please leave a review! Good, bad, funny. Any and all are welcome!