Summary: Hermione's life is left in pieces, all because of Draco. She finds herself lying often, betraying her friends' trust.
Draco meets a mysterious woman, who has a thing against him. He finds himself spending more time than he cares to stomach with Kyle Thompson—the only guy to ever win Hermione's heart.
As for this mystery woman, well, there's a deeper meaning than Draco could ever comprehend as to why she's sneaking around, bent on being there at every turn of his life. A deeper meaning that she herself doesn't want to remember.
Last Time:
[Hermione]
"Harry started yelling. He pretty much called me an idiot, and I got mad…I more or less insulted his irrational behavior when he was lovesick over Cho," Hermione continued, a ghost of a smile on her face. "His wife didn't take to well to that…"
"I'd imagine not," Kyle chuckled, leaning forward.
"He asked if we conceived a child." She blinked. "I told him I did. Everything fell apart! I just…I left."
"Never a better time. Hermione…you always had a flair for the dramatics."
"Hey," Hermione protested, crossing her arms. "I…well, what more could I do? Harry looked like it took all of his physical and mental strength not to Avada me on the spot!"
"You sure pick the greatest people," he retorted sardonically, with a smirk. "Thank Merlin you have me."
"Shut up," she scolded weakly, tossing back her combination of wavy and curly chestnut hair. "Just wait until you have a fallout. I can't wait to mock you like this."
"But I never got pregnant at 17 with my enemy," Kyle pointed out teasingly.
"Merlin, let's hope not," Hermione scoffed, her eyes almost dancing.
[Draco]
He finally decided to go downstairs and tell Kyle he was going home for a bit. At least someone would be happy…
By the time Draco got there, he realized, with a push of his hands through his rumpled hair, that Hope was still conversing in private with Kyle.
He felt guilty, but once the unlocking spell finally popped into his mind, he unlocked the room, and strode in abruptly, an apologetic look on his face. "I'm really sorry, Hope, Thompson, but I had to interrupt. I just wanted to say—"
The words died from Draco's mouth as his silver eyes looked up from the floor to Kyle and…Hermione Granger herself.
He was rendered speechless, and Kyle looked furious. Hermione just looked meek and ashamed.
Finally regaining composure, but still slightly puzzled, he addressed her coolly, "Granger. What exactly are you doing here?"
Disclaimer: I own not a thing but random people I throw in, Harry's wife, Carrie, blah and blah, and also the plot (sorta). If I could, I would, and I'd own Justin. Of course, lol.
Chapter Seven: I'm A...What?
Draco felt awful when he saw her face look terrified, and she said nothing in response. Just simply…opened and closed her mouth in disbelief, as though she had been caught.
"She's talking to me," Kyle answered curtly, boring hateful holes into Draco with his eyes. "And if you don't mind, it's rather private."
"Where's Hope?" he demanded, forgetting completely about his father's letter. "She was just here a while ago…"
Hermione's mouth flapped open again helplessly, and wordlessly. She squeaked with fear, her eyebrows creasing.
Honestly, he had never seen her so frightened. "And just what is your problem?" he asked, forced disgust buried in his voice. "You're absolutely disgusting, the frightened way you're acting. I ditched you—deal with it," Draco finished coldly, mentally kicking himself.
Hermione's big, virtuous cinnamon eyes filled with tears and she started crying loudly, sinking into a chair.
"Pathetic," Draco itched to say, to make it seem even more like he had no leftover feelings for her. The murderous glare Kyle was sending him was enough.
"GET OUT!" he yelled, approaching Draco quickly. "And no one buys this 'tough guy' act! Just admit you love her, and get over it," Kyle sneered, pushing him out. "Otherwise, stay the hell out."
With that, a door slammed in Draco's face, and that was that.
If nothing else, a huge dilemma was solved. Hermione was nowhere near the evil clutches of the icier Lucius Malfoy. Which was good.
~*~
"I told you," Hermione whimpered to Kyle, who was rubbing her upper back reassuringly. "I told you he doesn't care about me!" she sobbed.
"He's a git," Kyle spat automatically, wishing Draco hadn't been a complete arse. "He knows nothing."
"Gods!" she hissed. "How would he treat his own illegitimate daughter, if this is the way he treats me?" she asked harshly, squeezing her teary eyes shut.
"Don't say that," he scolded. "And even though I hate Draco with a passion, I imagine he'd love his daughter no matter what, the way he loves you."
Hermione scorned the thought. "If that's the way he'd treat Carrie, I'd hex him. He's never coming anywhere near her," she vowed solemnly. "I don't need her to be exposed to that kind of iciness."
"Living with a man like Lucius, I think Draco would try his damned hardest to love her better. Maybe…if you told him…oh bloody hell, don't listen to me," Kyle sneered at himself. "I'm crazy. I have no idea how he'd react."
She breathed in deeply, feeling calm course over her body once more. "I love Carrie to pieces, and wish she had a father in her life…but I would never want Draco as her father. Just being raised by a man of Lucius' stature, and emotional depth…I think that would make him prone to acting the same way."
Kyle said nothing to rebut her statement, but simply raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Is that so?"
Hermione nodded firmly, not letting herself think any other way. He had hurt her, so what made Carrie any different?
The fact that's she's a Malfoy. That she's his daughter, legit or not. She belongs to him, his gene pool, her subconscious argued without her consent.
Hermione's mouth opened to a tiny 'o' as she thought of it, and began to doubt herself. Surely, there was some shred of humanity in the man she had loved…
"Mione?" Kyle burst in, waving his hand slowly in front of her eyes. "What are you thinking about?"
She smiled at him briefly, before dismissing his question with a shake of her head nonchalantly. "Nothing important," she answered listlessly. "Just… contemplating, I guess."
Kyle nodded, showing he understood. "If you want my advice—" he paused to see her expression before continuing, "I'd say give him a chance. I'm not saying for him, or even for you. Give Draco a chance for your daughter. One of my oldest friends grew up without a father, and it really hurt her."
Hermione took a second to mull this over. "I—I can't," she protested feebly. "I won't do that to her. I won't."
He glanced at her unsurely, his mouth in a thin, tight line. "Fine. I'm not trying to run your life. Just remember, all things will blow up right in your face, Mione. Secrets don't stay that way for long. You were lucky to keep the whole thing from Ron and Harry for so long."
The two names caused Hermione to flinch. "I really need to go now. Lou Ann will probably near kill me, overtime pay or not."
Without another word, or waiting for his reply, she apparated out, arriving at her home with a slight stumble.
"Lou Ann, I'm so sorry, hon," Hermione breathed, staring intently at the cross girl. "I didn't expect it to last so long."
Lou Ann looked like she wanted to snap back, but instead said, "It's ok, Ms. Granger," in a polite voice that was obviously forced.
"Yes, well, I'll pay you extra, don't you worry," she insisted, digging through her bag for more money. "I can't tell you how sorry I am, but tonight was really important…"
~*~
Draco's eyes flew open, as the sun harshly bathed over the room. "Bloody hell…" he murmured, rolling over to his side. "This is so ridiculous. Can't a man sleep in peace without the sun disrupting him? Is that really too much to ask?"
The night before's event flashed through his mind, and he squeezed his eyes tighter, as if the images would disappear.
He groaned, roughly shoving a pillow over his head. That didn't help. He burrowed in deeper. That didn't help either. Nothing did.
Finally, beaten, he got out of bed grumbling darkly the entire time. Stupid sun. Stupid Hermione. Stupid Father. Stupid everyone.
Draco was highly tempted to just stay in his navy blue boxers all day, but grudgingly threw on an enormous robe, and fastened it, to hide his half-naked body. It was breakfast time, but maybe no one would be there.
Or he could just skip it entirely. It wasn't as if he were that hungry anyway. Just the thought of the look on Hermione's face made him feel sick.
Insanity. That's what this is! Not love, not even lust. Insanity, Draco thought bitterly, trudging slowly down the stairs.
Upon his arrival at the door to the table, he straightened up, and sauntered in cockily, tossing back his shaggy hair.
"What's to eat?" he asked almost rudely, sitting down without glancing up. "I'm starved," he lied.
When there was no answer, Draco looked up to see only one person seated across from him.
It was Hope, with a vial in her hand. It was raised to her lips, and it looked like she had just drank some. It looked like she was guilty.
"Is that poison?" he asked stupidly.
She didn't answer. She sat there, looking like a deer caught in headlights. Slowly, he realized why she was so stark quiet.
Her dirty blonde hair was rapidly changing into the familiar chestnut curls, and her vivid emerald eyes turned into a bright almond color.
It was Hermione.
Draco was overcome with shock, and searched for something to say. "Well, that was rather dumb of you," he drawled lazily. "If you've been taking a potion to be some random witch, why would you—"
"Just shut up," Hermione hissed, her eyes stony. "It was nothing but a stupid mistake. I was just getting really tired of seeing that stupid blonde hair."
"So find a bathroom," he replied coolly.
He was dying to ask what made her go to the trouble of pretending to be 'Hope', when it occurred to him that Hope could be using a Polyjuice potion to be Hermione.
But he dismissed the idea. Why would she bother?
Hermione made a sort of growling sound. "I really don't need this," she hissed, and was gone with the blink of an eye.
Draco wouldn't let her go so easily, and followed her, hoping that just concentrating firmly on the words 'Hermione Granger's house' with get him there. It had happened before, if he was desperate enough.
He grinned, when he saw himself inside her house, or at least what he perceived to be her house.
There she was, in the hallway, looking furious. "Go away!" she murmured harshly, but looking fearful.
An old woman left a room from inside the hallway, smiling kindly. "It wasn't a problem, dear. You know I'd be happy to watch—"
Hermione cut her off. "Thank you, Doris. Um, I'll call you, ok? Or maybe I'll just walk over…"
Doris looked up, seeing Draco standing there, mildly confused. She nodded perceptively, a slight grin on her face. "You do that."
Draco felt a cold feeling sweep through his stomach as the woman left. "Watch what?" he asked when the door eased shut.
Hermione frowned, pursing her lips. "None of your business."
She made a move to continue on in the hall, but he ran faster. He came to a halt in front of her, flinging his hands to brace the wall.
"Watch what?" Draco growled dangerously.
Hermione raised her head defiantly. "You think you can just waltz into my life five years later, and just ask whatever you feel like?"
"Let's get things straight here. You waltzed into my life the day you concocted some of that weird shit in your vial."
She responded with a roll of her eyes.
"I think we need to discuss some things," he said resolutely. "And I won't leave until we do."
"There's a couch in that room right there," Hermione replied stiffly, ducking into a room quickly.
He gazed at her suspiciously, but the look she gave him silenced him. "Fine."
"So," Hermione began as she eased the door shut, her posture rigid, suggesting she'd rather slit her wrists than talk to him. "Let's talk."
~*~
Harry stared open-mouthed at his wife, his green eyes wide with surprise. "You want me to what?!"
"Apologize," Hope answered firmly, crossing her arms. "I don't like the way you treated Hermione at all."
"She lied to us! Why don't you dislike the way she treated us? Since when am I a criminal?" he demanded sharply, glaring from the corner of his eye.
"Since you started acting like that!" she replied exasperatedly. "You didn't even stop to think—did you even see the shattered look on Hermione's face when you talked so coldly, unfeelingly?"
Harry, for a moment, was speechless. Finally, he argued, "Don't you know how much honesty means to me?"
She gave a sort of reassuring smile, and nodded. "All I'm asking you to do is be the bigger person, and apologize. It's that easy."
His lively green eyes flashed. "Easy enough for you to say. I didn't do anything wrong," he insisted stubbornly. "Hermione did."
Hope looked like she was fighting back a low growl of frustration, and she sighed. "Harry, let me put it to you this way. If you don't do what I ask, I will do nothing you ask."
"Nothing?" Harry repeated, knowing exactly what her hidden meaning was. "Nothing at all?"
"Nothing," she reiterated firmly, raising an eyebrow challengingly.
He narrowed his eyes. "That's bribery."
"I know, honey," she chirped, beaming. "That's what I'm best at."
Harry made a hissing sound, and finally agreed. "You are so much more manipulative than I thought."
Hope dropped all flirtatious, or joking manners. In a completely serious voice, she added, "Darling, think about the consequences. Don't you want to meet your best friend's daughter? Wouldn't you like to talk to the girl?"
He looked at her dead-on, silent.
She sighed again, in utter frustration. "Ok…how would you feel if James had to grow up without his father? If I were raising him by myself? Wouldn't you want some sort of father figure in his life?"
"That would never happen, because I take responsibility for my children," Harry answered stonily. "Unlike Malfoy, I take pride in fulfilling my duties as a father."
"If it happened! I can understand how Hermione felt, Harry! I don't condone it, but I understand. Why can't you?"
"I simply can't."
"All because of Draco? Basically, what you're telling me, sweetie, is that if the girl had been Ron's, you would have welcomed her with open arms," Hope inferred, feeling upset by his unfair judgement.
"Well, n-no," Harry answered defensively. "But like I said, it would never—"
"Work with me here, love!" she hissed.
"Fine. Yes, are you happy? I hate Draco Malfoy with all of my being, and I think Hermione was idiotic for messing around with him. But no, I'm not judging the girl. I pity her for having a scum like him for a dad."
Now we're getting somewhere, Hope thought, satisfied.
"Apologize," she finished softly, looking him straight in his intense eyes. "Please."
Harry sighed, and nodded. "Alright, I will. But I'd really like to wait until later today. At least give me that."
Hope nodded, smiling happily at her husband. "I love you, Harry Potter."
~*~
Hermione was mentally freaking out. Draco was suspicious, and there was no way to avoid the topic of Carrie. If only she were so lucky.
"Why did you do it?" she started, meeting his curious gray eyes.
They darkened at her question, and she could tell the word, 'Pass' was on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he obviously felt it safer to play dumb. "Do what?"
"Malfoy, just what would we have to talk about other than our last year?" she demanded angrily, trying her best to hate him with every ounce of her soul.
"Oh, that," Draco drawled slowly, as if it had just hit him. "Well, that was a very broad year."
"I did not sit down to 'talk' for you to blatantly ignore my questions!" she half-shrieked in rage. "So answer my question!"
"You mean sleep with you? As I recall, it was with your consent, and you started it."
"Started it?!" Hermione yelped. "You're delirious! Aside from which, I wasn't talking about that. I meant why would you sleep with me, and then leave me without so much as a word?"
Draco coolly leaned back, slouching in the chair disinterestedly. His slightly darker blonde hair framed his face delicately, and his brilliant slate eyes flashed momentarily. "I haven't the foggiest clue—"
"Malfoy," Hermione cut in firmly.
He sighed, and rolled his eyes. "I didn't have a choice, ok?"
"No, not ok! I don't understand, Draco! You pursued me for the first few months, and then all of the sudden boom! You wanted nothing to do with me after you got what you wanted," she ranted, forcing herself not to cry.
"I would hardly call that pursuing."
Hermione's chest heaved with her deep breaths to calm herself. "Draco, please. Just explain to me why you just…deserted me."
"I didn't desert you! If you'll recall, I tried to apologize throughout the year!" Draco growled, lurching forward. "It's certainly not my fault if you insist on being a stubborn bitch," he spat.
"It is! I don't—I can't comprehend why you would just…" Hermione trailed off, her almond eyes sort of getting a dull shine. "No, wait, I think I get it."
"Oh? And what is it that you think you know about me?" Draco asked amusedly. "I'm quite interested to hear what you could have possibly conjured up."
"You're a Malfoy. Daddy dearest would have a fit, which would harm your Death Eater-In-Training position. Aside from which, I think you're afraid."
"Afraid of what?" he challenged, his silver eyes narrowing fiercely.
"You're afraid of loving someone," Hermione answered, looking resolute.
Draco leaped off his seat, and stood right before her in two short steps. "Afraid of loving someone, am I?" he hissed coldly, leaning towards her, his face before hers. "Is that what you think?"
"Yes," she answered defiantly, taking in the utter hatred in his eyes. She was sure he was getting his fair share. "Otherwise, I'd say prove it, Malfoy. I know you can't."
Draco's cheeks flushed almost adorably, a tinge of pink sweeping over them. "Then, please, explain to me how I've lived these past five years, Hermione!" he screamed in her face, his silver eyes piercing.
Hermione had no answer, and was barely able to process the meaning of his statement, much less reply.
Then it happened. The moment they had been waiting for…five very long years. It was rather explosive.
She wasn't sure who initiated the kiss that was long overdue, but it happened. All she knew was that his face was dangerously close, as were his lips.
Hermione closed her eyes in anticipation, feeling his lips press gently against hers. The kiss was gentle at first, almost tentative, unsure. Then she was almost positive Draco got annoyed, and turned it electrifying.
He pushed his hands impatiently through her curly hair, letting his tongue steal into her mouth without much fight. Hermione was almost dumbfounded, but managed to wind her hands tightly around his back, pulling him closer to her. The kiss was delicious.
Finally, Draco had the sense to pull back, and stared her right in the eye. "Care to answer that?" he asked cockily.
She stood, looking ridiculous with her mouth hanging open dumbly. "Sod off," she answered breathlessly.
His eyes danced in a playful way she had never seen them. "I can't this time," he growled in a low, gravelly voice. "I won't let you get away again."
Hermione decided not to ruin the moment with another question for explanation as to his actions. "What if I want to?"
Draco looked deathly solemn. "Tell me something. What did that night mean to you?"
Now is my chance.
Her mouth opened, but for a brief moment, nothing came out. He had admitted to loving her, sure. But…what would he do, knowing—
Stop looking for excuses, she scolded. Just say it.
"It meant the world," Hermione began softly. "You gave me the greatest joy of my entire life."
For a cocky second, he looked overly self-assured and smug. She mentally urged him to understand.
"Wait…there's no way you'd compliment me like that…" he began slowly. "So…what did that mean?"
She braced herself, and inhaled deeply. What was the best way to phrase this for the unexpecting father? "I…we…Draco, what I'm trying to say, I guess, is that we…" Hermione paused. "Draco, you're a father," she finished, barely audible.
Ok, not the best way to put it.
Draco shoved back his shaggy blonde hair, his eyes wide and unsuspecting. He stepped back slightly as he sputtered out, "I'm a—what?"
"A father," she repeated, letting it sink in.
A/N: So, I finally let Draco find out, hurrah! It took until the end of this chapter, but hey! I'm sorry I left you hanging for so long, but it was a nice place to end. It was evil, a cliffie (have you guessed I like those?), left one of two options, and…it was perfect. So let's see what happens next, huh?
Yes, I know, long time, no update. The school year has just started, and I've been adjusting to it, with no time left to write or update. On top of it all, I have probably four new ideas that have been plaguing me. One being a sequel to Night Stalker, and another being (gasp) Draco/Ginny.
Also, I probably rewrote some dialogue and stuff in this chapter three times, and I'm still not happy, but you need an update, and I don't know what to do to make it better.
But I'm trying to get better, as I'm getting readjusted to actually having to do stuff during the week. I already have some of Chapter 8 typed, and I'm working on Mr. Wrong, as well. I have a four-day weekend (the hurricane coming being a reason for today)—no school, no work—which I'm hoping will be put to good use!
So, thanks so much for your patience, reviews, and time taken out of your day to read this. It makes me really happy that you guys are enjoying my stories, and I haven't had a flame for any of my stories, even though some are so abysmal, lol. Tis a bit odd, but I shan't complain! Hope you enjoyed this newest, late addition!
[Submitted: September 18, 2003]