A/n: Hmm…well I just have to deal with some stuff first before I continue….

Hedwig – well I'm sorry if you were disgusted but I DID put warnings and author notes telling you about what I was gonna put so yeah…and if you ask me, my fic isn't really as disgusting as other romance fics out there.

StRaWbErRy AnD BlUeBeRrIeS – this has always been an R/h story except before it was just focusing more on Hermione but now it's focusing more on both of them together.

And that Bjork person is just girl I made up! She isn't real in the books so yeah.

Chapter twenty four

            Draco was sitting by himself in the Slytherin common room, facing the roaring fireplace. In his hand, he clutched a letter that he had received from his father that morning. He had an angry, frustrated look on his face. So many emotions were bottled up. He unfolded the letter and re-read it again.

           

You stupid, ungrateful child! I am ashamed to say that you are my flesh and blood! You have disgraced the Malfoy family more than anyone has in history! Of all the women, why did you have to pick that filthy, mudblood? And not just any mudblood was good enough for you. You had to pick Hermione Granger. Possibly the worst kind of mudblood to ever exist. I want you to come home tomorrow morning. You will not be staying long, so bring only important things. I already told you pathetic headmaster about this. He will give you permission to leave on the next train home. You will take a cab and go straight home.

Lucius Malfoy

Draco knew that if he went home, it wasn't gonna be good. Lucius had the worst temper a person could have. He would probably end up putting Draco in a cruciatus curse for two days minimum. It's not fucking fair! Draco thought angrily. All his life, he had to live up to his father's expectations. He hated to admit it, but when he thought about the whole situation carefully, he didn't regret what he did to Hermione. He did love her. In fact, he thought he still did.

He remembered what had happened in the library a few moments ago. Hermione was looking for some book. She leaned over too far in an attempt to reach it and she almost fell. Luckily, he was nearby and caught her just in time. The feel of her body in his arms made Draco realize that he loved this girl a lot more than he could ever imagine.

"Thank you." Hermione had said. Draco wanted to stay and talk but he knew that Hermione would have a fit if she saw him so he merely walked away and left Hermione to wonder. As he walked away, he kept telling himself that Hermione wasn't worth it, that she was nothing more but a filthy, ugly mudblood. His reputation was at stake and he knew he would have to face severe consequences if his feelings for her grew stronger than they did now. However, try as he might, he couldn't seem to get rid of the image of this smart, brown-haired, almond-eyed, proud and bossy know-it-all.

The next day, Draco woke up early and headed to the train station, carrying a small duffel bag. He got in the train and tried to relax on the ride home. When he reached King's Cross, he took a cab like his father ordered and got off at Malfoy Manor. He gave the driver a pretty big tip and walked slowly to the gates of his mansion. When he got in the house, his mother was sitting on a couch in the living room while his father was nowhere to be seen.

"Draco! My poor, poor boy." Narcissa cried. She got up and immediately hugged Draco. "Your father isn't home yet, but he will be in about two hours." She held Draco's pale face in her hands. "He – he isn't very pleased with what you did."
            "I already know that." Draco said quietly. "I'm going to my room."

As Draco went up the circling staircase, his mother asked, "But why Draco, dear? Why? Why Hermione?"

"Why not?" Draco answered back.

Narcissa followed him. Draco knew she wouldn't stop bugging him unless he explain to her. "Draco, you know how your father feels about mud – erm – muggles! So why did you go out there and fu – uh, I mean – make 'love' to one?"

"Mother, I'm tired of listening to whatever father says!" Draco said angrily. His voice was trembling. "We always have to do what he says! It's like we're in a prison every time he's home."

"You know how hot-tempered your father is. He's just stressed with work -" Narcissa began. Draco made his way to his room. He had the second biggest room in the house. It had a king size bed, many cabinets, three drawers, a mirror and that was it. He didn't have a stereo or a phone. After all, Lucius didn't believe in using muggle appliances.

"Work! It's always work!" Draco replied. "Can you shut the door before you leave?" He put his bag on the floor and lay on the bed.

Narcissa just stood by the door and stared at Draco for a few seconds, then she left, whispering things to herself. Poor mother, Draco thought. She tries to keep father happy, she really does. But nothing's good enough for that bastard. Nothing. Just as Draco was about to drift off to sleep, he heard Narcissa and an angry voice talking outside his door.

"He's still quite worn-out from the travel, Lucius dear." He heard Narcissa say. "Maybe you should let him rest first before talking to him."

"Do you think I care about this wretched boy?" The angry voice yelled. Draco heard someone hit something or someone loudly. Then he heard Narcissa sobbing. "Be quiet you useless bitch! Now get out of my way."

Draco's door burst open and there stood Lucius Malfoy, wearing a black cape. Narcissa came in behind him, crying while holding her left cheek.

"Finally, you came." Lucius said with an evil grin. Draco sat up and looked at him angrily. "You will not be sleeping here tonight. Instead, you will be sleeping outside in the backyard with nothing but your skin and flesh."

"Oh dear, I heard that there might be a blizzard tonight." Narcissa said softly. "At least let it pass before you punish our soon."

"Don't tell me what to do woman!" Lucius yelled. He hit Narcissa again on the face.

That was it. Draco stood up and went to Narcissa's side. "Stop it." He said firmly. "She didn't do anything to you."

"I'm fine, dear. Don't upset your father." Narcissa answered.

Lucius pointed his wand at Draco. "Crucio!"

Draco fell to his knees and his whole body ached in pain. Narcissa bent down and said, "Your father is doing this to you because he loves you."

"Be quiet you fool!" Lucius ordered Narcissa. "Get me something to drink."

"Y-yes of course." Narcissa mumbled. She quickly ran out of the room.

"Your lucky I'm letting you off easily." Lucius said to Draco as he circled around him like an eagle eyeing its prey. "I would've gladly killed you, but you still might be of some use to me in the near future. I would've killed you a long time ago actually; I always thought children were nothing but a waste of time. You take care of them, send them to school and watch them grow. Then what? They are useless, pathetic little beings."

Draco tried to say something but the curse was too strong.

"Is Granger pregnant?" Lucius asked.

Draco tried to nod but he felt so much pain inside him, it seemed impossible.

"ANSWER ME BOY!" Lucius yelled. He kicked Draco and put his foot on Draco's stomach.

"Y-Yes." Draco sputtered.

Lucius turned red and put all his weight on Draco. Draco started suffocating.

"You stupid idiot! What are you going to do about the child?" Lucius demanded.

"W-we don't know." Draco said, gasping for breathe. "Sh-she'll t-take care of i-it. I t-told her I w-wanted n-nothing to do w-with the child."

"Here's your drink, dear." Narcissa said as she carefully entered the room with a tray.

"GET OUT YOU IMBICILE!" Lucius yelled. He got off Draco and grabbed the tray from Narcissa. Then he threw it at her head and pushed her out the door.

That's it! Draco thought. With all his strength he tried to overcome the curse. He grabbed his wand from his pocket and pointed it at Lucius. Lucius was still busy fighting with Narcissa. "Avada Kedavra!" Draco casted.

As Lucius turned around to face Draco again, all he remembered was seeing a flash of bright green light. Thud! Lucius fell on the floor, motionless.

Thank you to all the reviewers!