Disclaimer: I do not own any original Harry Potter characters. Sniff sniff.
Claimer: I own Jack Harry Arthur Potter, Robert Clegg, Victoria Fitzsimmons, Amy, Maxmillian Xavier Black, and the entire 'de Varci' family.
This story is being used for entertainment purposes only, no money is being made and no violation of copyright intended.
Read, enjoy, and review!!! *****************************************************************
This chapter is dedicated to myself. **************************************************************
:::::IMPORTANT NOTE:::::
I have neutral views on the subject of abortion, and I hope that no one will be offended by any of the contents in this chapter.
*********************************************************************
It was afternoon, cloudy but warm. The hospital walls were sterile and unfamiliar, unlike the colorful walls at the hospital Hermione worked at, which were covered in murals and paintings.
The waiting room was full of girls. Most girls had people with them- parents, friends, boyfriends. Hermione was the only one alone.
She had been waiting for half an hour now. She wondered if Muggles had to wait this long all the time now. She had decided on a muggle abortion- having a magical one in a familiar hospital would have just been too much for her.
It had been a week since she had found out. She had immediately called up this hospital and made an appointment, talking to the doctor. She hadn't stopped to think or plan everything through. All she knew was that she didn't have the time and energy you needed to bring up a baby. It wouldn't make sense, it wouldn't be fair to anyone.
She hadn't bothered to contact Dean. It would just make everything more complicated.
The only person who knew about this was Amy. Hermione had avoided her since the night Max had been brought in, and didn't return her phone calls. No one else suspected a thing. Lavender had been partying hard lately and was hardly ever home.
A door opened and a young girl in a white hospital gown ran out, sobbing. All Hermione could see was a flash of blonde hair before another door, the one leading out onto the street, slammed shut. No one looked up of even cared. Hermione felt a sense of duty despite what she was going through and followed the girl to see if she could help.
She found the girl just down the block, curled up in a ball, sobbing. She knelt down beside her.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked softly. The girl looked up, startled. Hermione saw her huge pupils and knew that she was in shock. The girl did not reply, just cried harder.
"What's your name? How old are you?" Hermione asked, her nurse's instincts kicking in.
"I'm Marilyn." The girl choked. "I'm 13."
"Hi Marilyn. What's wrong? Can I help you?"
"They killed him. They killed my baby." Marilyn replied, shivering even in the mild weather.
Hermione felt violently ill. She realized what she was doing. She was about to kill her own child, a baby. Her baby would never have the chance to grow up and experience life as she had. Her baby would never know the sound of the sea and what the sky looked like. It would know nothing but the deep darkness of death.
She fled, leaving Marilyn alone, and walked the streets for hours. What kind of life was this, anyway? Where pregnant thirteen-year-olds cried over their lost children and people killed their babies because they didn't want them? It wasn't right to deny a child life, and Hermione knew it. Whenever she had read about abortions in magazines or newspapers, she shook her head and turned the page. She had never imagined she would have to make that decision herself.
True, she had always imagined herself having children, but there had always been someone else in her little daydreams. A husband or a boyfriend, someone who would love her and their children. Someone strong and good for her.
She didn't even realize that she had been crying until she saw her reflection in the window of a closed newsagents. Glancing at her watch, she noted that it was six p.m. She didn't feel like going back home. She needed someone to talk to, but her choices were limited.
No doubt Ginny, who was nine months pregnant, was asleep. Hermione didn't want to wake her and Seamus and especially not little Jack. Lavender wasn't the kind of person you talked to about these things. Someone at the hospital would no doubt send her down to Counseling for a few hours.
Then it hit her. She knew exactly who to talk to. Draco.
********************
Considering that the last time he'd seen him was when Max had been brought in to the hospital a week ago, Draco was fairly calm when Hermione showed up at his front door. He took in her tear-stained face and led her through to the library.
"Draco, I'm pregnant with Dean's baby and I don't know what to do." She said hurriedly, knowing there was no point in beating around the bush. If Draco was surprised, he didn't show it.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes. No. I don't know." She sighed. "I just don't know what to do at all."
"Does Dean know?" Draco asked. Hermione shook her head.
"I don't want to tell you what to do, but I really think you should let him know." Draco advised.
"I'm too scared to do that," Hermione admitted. "We never really went out, it was just a two-day fling. What if he doesn't want to know?"
"That's his problem." Draco replied.
"I guess." She said, biting her lip.
"So... are you going to keep the baby?" He asked carefully.
"I truthfully don't know. I was set on having an abortion until I met this girl called Marilyn." She quickly recounted what had happened.
"It's your decision. No one else can make it for you."
"I know. And that's just it. Someone's life rests in my hands. I don't want to take it away, but I don't think I can look after a baby. Chances are I'd be a single mother, and I've seen what's its like to raise a baby on your own. With you and Ginny... well, you're strong people. You can manage it. But I don't know if I could. If I have this baby, I could just be bringing him or her into a life of utter misery." She said.
"I know what you mean. When Cendrillon left, I wasn't sure how to bring up Max. I knew nothing about kids, and he was just a tiny baby. I had no idea what to do. And one of the house-elves suggested putting him up for adoption, but I knew I had to raise him myself." Draco said.
"You have house-elves?" Hermione asked disapprovingly, unable to suppress her disappointment at this piece of knowledge.
"Only in France. I pay them." He replied, and Hermione was satisfied.
"How is Max doing, by the way?" She asked.
"He's alright. He'll be okay with time." Draco replied, frowning slightly.
"That's good to hear. But Draco, do you think I could raise a child all by myself?" Hermione asked.
"I have no doubts." He replied sincerely. "And anyway, Dean might not respond in the way you're anticipating."
"I know. But chances are he will." She sighed. "I know I have to tell him before I make a final decision."
"Do you want to tell him face-to-face? It's probably the best way." Draco said.
"I know, but I'm far to scared to do that. I guess I'll owl him. But what will I write?" She asked.
Twenty minutes later, the final draft was done. Draco had helped, and finally Hermione was satisfied. She read it through before writing it out again.
Dear Dean
There is something you really need to know. I am pregnant as a result of the night we spent together in August. I am positive that the baby is yours. I know you said you weren't ready for a relationship, but maybe you could reconsider. Of course, I understand if you don't want to be part of the child's life, and I have not entirely decided on keeping the baby yet. Please reply as soon as you can.
Hermione
She borrowed Draco's eagle owl and watched as it flew off into the night, a feeling of dread in her stomach. How would Dean respond? Would he be happy? Mad? Sad? Would he reply at all?
She turned back to Draco, who was watching her with a placid expression.
"What now?" He asked. Hermione shrugged.
"I hope he replies soon. I can't wait for long, I'll explode." She sighed.
"Are you hungry? I can wake Max and we'll have dinner." Draco suggested.
"That would be great." Hermione replied; glad to have an invitation to hang around some more. She needed to take her mind off this for a while. She followed Draco through the house, into the kitchen. After throwing things into a bowl and mixing them expertly, Draco put a pan on to simmer and something else into the oven. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later with a very sleepy Max curled up over his shoulder.
Hermione noted with relief that Max's bruises were all healed, and apart from the occasional mark he looked okay. His eyes widened when he saw Hermione, and he shrank back into Draco slightly.
"Hey, Maxy, it's fine. Remember Hermione? She was here this summer?" Draco said soothingly. Max nodded and relaxed slightly as Draco placed him in a chair and turned back to the stove.
"Hey Max. How are you?" Hermione asked softly.
"Fine." Max replied quietly. Hermione could think of nothing else to say until Draco put the plates on the table about ten minutes later.
The food was a white egg omelet with vegetables and chunks of ham. Hermione had to admit that Draco knew how to cook. She watched as he cut up Max's food for him, and couldn't help noticing the way his hair fell over his gorgeous eyes, and the outline of his muscles beneath the white t-shirt. The paleness of his skin, his expression. The way he could be so kind, so caring, so altogether perfect-
She mentally slapped herself. Here she was, pregnant with another man's child, thinking about how good-looking her once arch-enemy was? What was WRONG with her?
She spent the rest of the evening just hanging around, hoping that Draco's owl would come back with a reply. She watched as Draco played with Max and read him a story before he went to sleep. Draco lent her his spare room for the night, promising to wake her if the owl came back. She summoned pajamas from home and fell asleep quickly considering the trauma she had been through that day.
A large clap of thunder awakened her. Glancing at the clock, she noted that it was five a.m. She could just about hear voices over the raging storm, and got up and walked down the corridor to see what was going on. Draco came out of Max's room as she reached it.
"He doesn't like thunder." Draco said by way of explanation. Before Hermione could ask, he pointed to the library.
"My owl came back. I was about to wake you." He said. Hermione willed herself to walk calmly, but was trembling. She knew that Dean's response could change everything.
The letter was dry; Dean had had the foresight to put a Drying Charm on it and the owl. Hermione's hands were shaking too much to open the seal on the letter. Draco did it for her then left the room so that she could have some space. She took a deep breath, unfolded the letter, and began to read.
************************************************************************
Oho. Cliffy. I know, I am mean, making you all wait for this chapter for ages then making it short and leaving a cliffy. Sorry everyone.
I have MAJORLY busy lately. Apart from meeting people at starbucks after school most days, I have homework and tests and the allure of MSN Messenger to keep me busy all night long. So this chapter has come later than usual. I hope everyone likes it!!
Now a little loverant about two guys I like. After you read this you'll get why I have spent so much time hanging out with them instead of writing. F is the SAFEST, most FIT guy in this whole country. Really funny too. T is sarcastic a lot, but the sweetest ever. He offered me his gloves when I was cold! And he helps me with my homework. He is SO heavy. Who could not love guys like this??
rhian83 – thanks for reviewing even if you didn't like it. And thank you for the criticism, it was put way nicely. And I know I changed the characters a lot- but could you just like read the title first??
horsekrazy08, Brooke, xxGinnyxx, NitenGale, chocoliciouz, Dracos_Princess1- You will all just have to wait and see. Romance is fully coming.
Peace out!!!
Claimer: I own Jack Harry Arthur Potter, Robert Clegg, Victoria Fitzsimmons, Amy, Maxmillian Xavier Black, and the entire 'de Varci' family.
This story is being used for entertainment purposes only, no money is being made and no violation of copyright intended.
Read, enjoy, and review!!! *****************************************************************
This chapter is dedicated to myself. **************************************************************
:::::IMPORTANT NOTE:::::
I have neutral views on the subject of abortion, and I hope that no one will be offended by any of the contents in this chapter.
*********************************************************************
It was afternoon, cloudy but warm. The hospital walls were sterile and unfamiliar, unlike the colorful walls at the hospital Hermione worked at, which were covered in murals and paintings.
The waiting room was full of girls. Most girls had people with them- parents, friends, boyfriends. Hermione was the only one alone.
She had been waiting for half an hour now. She wondered if Muggles had to wait this long all the time now. She had decided on a muggle abortion- having a magical one in a familiar hospital would have just been too much for her.
It had been a week since she had found out. She had immediately called up this hospital and made an appointment, talking to the doctor. She hadn't stopped to think or plan everything through. All she knew was that she didn't have the time and energy you needed to bring up a baby. It wouldn't make sense, it wouldn't be fair to anyone.
She hadn't bothered to contact Dean. It would just make everything more complicated.
The only person who knew about this was Amy. Hermione had avoided her since the night Max had been brought in, and didn't return her phone calls. No one else suspected a thing. Lavender had been partying hard lately and was hardly ever home.
A door opened and a young girl in a white hospital gown ran out, sobbing. All Hermione could see was a flash of blonde hair before another door, the one leading out onto the street, slammed shut. No one looked up of even cared. Hermione felt a sense of duty despite what she was going through and followed the girl to see if she could help.
She found the girl just down the block, curled up in a ball, sobbing. She knelt down beside her.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked softly. The girl looked up, startled. Hermione saw her huge pupils and knew that she was in shock. The girl did not reply, just cried harder.
"What's your name? How old are you?" Hermione asked, her nurse's instincts kicking in.
"I'm Marilyn." The girl choked. "I'm 13."
"Hi Marilyn. What's wrong? Can I help you?"
"They killed him. They killed my baby." Marilyn replied, shivering even in the mild weather.
Hermione felt violently ill. She realized what she was doing. She was about to kill her own child, a baby. Her baby would never have the chance to grow up and experience life as she had. Her baby would never know the sound of the sea and what the sky looked like. It would know nothing but the deep darkness of death.
She fled, leaving Marilyn alone, and walked the streets for hours. What kind of life was this, anyway? Where pregnant thirteen-year-olds cried over their lost children and people killed their babies because they didn't want them? It wasn't right to deny a child life, and Hermione knew it. Whenever she had read about abortions in magazines or newspapers, she shook her head and turned the page. She had never imagined she would have to make that decision herself.
True, she had always imagined herself having children, but there had always been someone else in her little daydreams. A husband or a boyfriend, someone who would love her and their children. Someone strong and good for her.
She didn't even realize that she had been crying until she saw her reflection in the window of a closed newsagents. Glancing at her watch, she noted that it was six p.m. She didn't feel like going back home. She needed someone to talk to, but her choices were limited.
No doubt Ginny, who was nine months pregnant, was asleep. Hermione didn't want to wake her and Seamus and especially not little Jack. Lavender wasn't the kind of person you talked to about these things. Someone at the hospital would no doubt send her down to Counseling for a few hours.
Then it hit her. She knew exactly who to talk to. Draco.
********************
Considering that the last time he'd seen him was when Max had been brought in to the hospital a week ago, Draco was fairly calm when Hermione showed up at his front door. He took in her tear-stained face and led her through to the library.
"Draco, I'm pregnant with Dean's baby and I don't know what to do." She said hurriedly, knowing there was no point in beating around the bush. If Draco was surprised, he didn't show it.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yes. No. I don't know." She sighed. "I just don't know what to do at all."
"Does Dean know?" Draco asked. Hermione shook her head.
"I don't want to tell you what to do, but I really think you should let him know." Draco advised.
"I'm too scared to do that," Hermione admitted. "We never really went out, it was just a two-day fling. What if he doesn't want to know?"
"That's his problem." Draco replied.
"I guess." She said, biting her lip.
"So... are you going to keep the baby?" He asked carefully.
"I truthfully don't know. I was set on having an abortion until I met this girl called Marilyn." She quickly recounted what had happened.
"It's your decision. No one else can make it for you."
"I know. And that's just it. Someone's life rests in my hands. I don't want to take it away, but I don't think I can look after a baby. Chances are I'd be a single mother, and I've seen what's its like to raise a baby on your own. With you and Ginny... well, you're strong people. You can manage it. But I don't know if I could. If I have this baby, I could just be bringing him or her into a life of utter misery." She said.
"I know what you mean. When Cendrillon left, I wasn't sure how to bring up Max. I knew nothing about kids, and he was just a tiny baby. I had no idea what to do. And one of the house-elves suggested putting him up for adoption, but I knew I had to raise him myself." Draco said.
"You have house-elves?" Hermione asked disapprovingly, unable to suppress her disappointment at this piece of knowledge.
"Only in France. I pay them." He replied, and Hermione was satisfied.
"How is Max doing, by the way?" She asked.
"He's alright. He'll be okay with time." Draco replied, frowning slightly.
"That's good to hear. But Draco, do you think I could raise a child all by myself?" Hermione asked.
"I have no doubts." He replied sincerely. "And anyway, Dean might not respond in the way you're anticipating."
"I know. But chances are he will." She sighed. "I know I have to tell him before I make a final decision."
"Do you want to tell him face-to-face? It's probably the best way." Draco said.
"I know, but I'm far to scared to do that. I guess I'll owl him. But what will I write?" She asked.
Twenty minutes later, the final draft was done. Draco had helped, and finally Hermione was satisfied. She read it through before writing it out again.
Dear Dean
There is something you really need to know. I am pregnant as a result of the night we spent together in August. I am positive that the baby is yours. I know you said you weren't ready for a relationship, but maybe you could reconsider. Of course, I understand if you don't want to be part of the child's life, and I have not entirely decided on keeping the baby yet. Please reply as soon as you can.
Hermione
She borrowed Draco's eagle owl and watched as it flew off into the night, a feeling of dread in her stomach. How would Dean respond? Would he be happy? Mad? Sad? Would he reply at all?
She turned back to Draco, who was watching her with a placid expression.
"What now?" He asked. Hermione shrugged.
"I hope he replies soon. I can't wait for long, I'll explode." She sighed.
"Are you hungry? I can wake Max and we'll have dinner." Draco suggested.
"That would be great." Hermione replied; glad to have an invitation to hang around some more. She needed to take her mind off this for a while. She followed Draco through the house, into the kitchen. After throwing things into a bowl and mixing them expertly, Draco put a pan on to simmer and something else into the oven. He went out of the room and came back a few minutes later with a very sleepy Max curled up over his shoulder.
Hermione noted with relief that Max's bruises were all healed, and apart from the occasional mark he looked okay. His eyes widened when he saw Hermione, and he shrank back into Draco slightly.
"Hey, Maxy, it's fine. Remember Hermione? She was here this summer?" Draco said soothingly. Max nodded and relaxed slightly as Draco placed him in a chair and turned back to the stove.
"Hey Max. How are you?" Hermione asked softly.
"Fine." Max replied quietly. Hermione could think of nothing else to say until Draco put the plates on the table about ten minutes later.
The food was a white egg omelet with vegetables and chunks of ham. Hermione had to admit that Draco knew how to cook. She watched as he cut up Max's food for him, and couldn't help noticing the way his hair fell over his gorgeous eyes, and the outline of his muscles beneath the white t-shirt. The paleness of his skin, his expression. The way he could be so kind, so caring, so altogether perfect-
She mentally slapped herself. Here she was, pregnant with another man's child, thinking about how good-looking her once arch-enemy was? What was WRONG with her?
She spent the rest of the evening just hanging around, hoping that Draco's owl would come back with a reply. She watched as Draco played with Max and read him a story before he went to sleep. Draco lent her his spare room for the night, promising to wake her if the owl came back. She summoned pajamas from home and fell asleep quickly considering the trauma she had been through that day.
A large clap of thunder awakened her. Glancing at the clock, she noted that it was five a.m. She could just about hear voices over the raging storm, and got up and walked down the corridor to see what was going on. Draco came out of Max's room as she reached it.
"He doesn't like thunder." Draco said by way of explanation. Before Hermione could ask, he pointed to the library.
"My owl came back. I was about to wake you." He said. Hermione willed herself to walk calmly, but was trembling. She knew that Dean's response could change everything.
The letter was dry; Dean had had the foresight to put a Drying Charm on it and the owl. Hermione's hands were shaking too much to open the seal on the letter. Draco did it for her then left the room so that she could have some space. She took a deep breath, unfolded the letter, and began to read.
************************************************************************
Oho. Cliffy. I know, I am mean, making you all wait for this chapter for ages then making it short and leaving a cliffy. Sorry everyone.
I have MAJORLY busy lately. Apart from meeting people at starbucks after school most days, I have homework and tests and the allure of MSN Messenger to keep me busy all night long. So this chapter has come later than usual. I hope everyone likes it!!
Now a little loverant about two guys I like. After you read this you'll get why I have spent so much time hanging out with them instead of writing. F is the SAFEST, most FIT guy in this whole country. Really funny too. T is sarcastic a lot, but the sweetest ever. He offered me his gloves when I was cold! And he helps me with my homework. He is SO heavy. Who could not love guys like this??
rhian83 – thanks for reviewing even if you didn't like it. And thank you for the criticism, it was put way nicely. And I know I changed the characters a lot- but could you just like read the title first??
horsekrazy08, Brooke, xxGinnyxx, NitenGale, chocoliciouz, Dracos_Princess1- You will all just have to wait and see. Romance is fully coming.
Peace out!!!