A/N: Well, thanks again for the reviews. I still appreciate them; it makes me feel loved. Just need to check the email more often; it took me so long to read my reviews I barely had time to post the chapter before I had to leave. I went to Thanksgiving at my bf's grandma's house, whom had just gotten out of the hospital the day before Thanksgiving, then I had to do a three-hour drive up north to my uncle's house for my family's Thanksgiving, and it just kept going from there. Sorry it took sooooooooooo long to update.
I have one particular reviewer I'd like to address.
YAMC: Does that stand for You're A Mother-effing Cocksucker? I don't respond well to flames. If that wasn't what you intended, I apologize. If it was, if you want me to hurry up and write more, don't tell me 'you fucking suck'. It's not constructive, and it doesn't help me be productive. Instead, try phrases like, 'I am having a difficult time waiting for you to write more, please hurry' or 'I really like your story and would enjoy being able to read more of it more often' or even 'write more asap'. If you can't be constructive, don't review. If you don't like the story, don't read it. That's all I have to say on the matter. I have better things to do than tell people to be polite, like WRITE THE DAMN STORY FOR PEOPLE WHO APPRECIATE IT!
Enjoy!
Ginny finally decided on a large order of mozzarella sticks. While they were waiting for them to arrive, Hermione contemplated what she and Ginny had been discussing.
I still love him. He's my husband. Maybe we could try to work on it. It was hard for Hermione to swallow her pride, but in this case, maybe she should listen to the other side of the story, just to be fair. After all, Dumbledore himself had confirmed that Draco had been helping the Order work against Voldemort. What else could she do?
Shortly after Ginny finished the mozzarella sticks, she and Hermione stood up and stretched. Ginny was patting her tummy, which looked to be bigger from the enormous amount of food she had consumed. Hermione smiled to herself. She better watch what she eats. Her metabolism isn't going to go forever. Suddenly, she remembered what Molly had said about needing a new robe.
"Hey, Gin. Your mom said you came to get a new robe. What for?"
Ginny blushed. "I, um, I'm not fitting into my old ones anymore."
"Why not? You're still as small as you've always been. Are you eating too much? Is there something on your mind? Are you trying to comfort yourself with food? If so, that's not the answer. Comfort food only comforts you for so long before-"
"Herm. Shut up for a minute and I'll tell you."
Hermione immediately shut up, waiting patiently.
Ginny swallowed a couple of times, opened her mouth like she was about to speak, then closed it again. She sighed.
"Gin, what's wrong? Whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right?"
Sighing again, Ginny nodded her head. "Hermione, if I tell you, do you promise to not tell anyone else?"
"Yes, of course. I won't tell a soul."
"Good, because Blaise doesn't know yet."
Hermione recognized that name from somewhere. She racked her brain, then realized it was one of Draco's friends. "What are you doing with him? He's a friend of Draco's. He could be working with Voldemort."
"Well, that's how it started. I was trying to spy for the Order on some suspected members. I kept running into Blaise. We talked a little, then we stopped for coffee, then we had dinner, then…" she trailed off.
"Then… what?" Hermione was getting a little wary, thinking she might know where this conversation was going.
"I fell for him. He told me he loved me, and, well… We got married."
"Gin! That's wonderful! Why didn't you tell anyone?" She paused. "Why wasn't it in the Daily Prophet?"
"Because it was a Muggle wedding. We went to the government office and had an official marry us. The announcement wasn't in the Daily Prophet because no one knew. You're the only one besides Blaise, Draco, and me."
"Why would you hide it from me? Did you think I'd just run around and tell everyone if you asked me not to?"
"Well, no, but… you had enough stuff going on with work and Draco already. I didn't want to give you another burden to think about all the time."
"Well, congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I'm also a little disappointed you didn't invite me, though."
"Anyway," Ginny said determinedly, "we got married. It was just for us. We haven't been living together, for security reasons. We have been, however, having sex as often as possible, which really isn't very often."
Hermione was starting to piece things together. "You got married, and you're having sex, and now your robes don't fit and you're eating like a pig. Are you…?"
"Yeah. We're pregnant." Ginny looked down at her shoes, waiting for the disappointed response she was sure Hermione was going to have.
"OH, MERLIN! Ginny, oh, Ginny. I'm so happy for you!" Ginny looked up. This isn't what she was expecting. She's happy? What the hell?
"I thought you were going to say something about Blaise being, well, close to Voldemort." She looked at Hermione. She honestly looks happy for me. I never expected that.
"Well, that isn't such a big deal. You said he's a good guy, right?" Ginny nodded her head. "And he was honest and up-front with you, right?" Ginny nodded again. "And you love him, right?" Ginny nodded her head a third time. "Well, then, where's the problem? Why wouldn't I be happy for you?" Hermione smiled.
Ginny heaved a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank the gods. I have someone to talk to. Hermione, it's wonderful. I never thought I'd be so happy to have my hands and feet swell up." Hermione laughed.
"So, did you get your robes yet?"
"No, I was on my way. I don't know what to get, because I don't know what I'm going to need them for. Everyday ones, of course, but should I get dress ones, too?"
"I'd wait and see. Maybe you won't need them, or maybe you can let one of your robes out a little. When are you due, anyway?"
"In about seven and a half months, I think."
"You're showing kind of early, then. I noticed a little bump when you finished your lunch. I thought it was because your stomach was so swollen with food it was poking out of your gut."
"Yeah, well, being as small as I am, I'm not surprised."
"Listen, Gin, I'd love to stay and help you look, but I've got to get back to work. Rain check?"
"Yeah, actually I'd rather wait and go shopping with you later. Is that okay?"
Hermione grinned. "Of course. I'd love to help." She hugged Ginny and told her she'd be free later, around five or so. She normally took a break around then anyway, just to stretch and get a bite to eat. The two made plans to meet at the ice cream shop at ten after five that night. With another smile, Hermione Disapparated back to the Ministry.
XXXXX
Back at her desk, she realized she couldn't concentrate on work any more than she could before lunch, except this time, it was because of Ginny. I can't believe she's married, and she's going to be a mom, and I'm the only one who knows! That is so AWESOME! I wonder when she's going to tell Blaise…
…which brought her right back to Draco, supposed 'best friend' to Blaise. Fortunately, she seemed to be able to concentrate better, even though she still couldn't get him out of her mind. At least she wasn't staring at the corner of the desk anymore. She dug out her favorite quill and started reading through a stack of reports that had been left on her desk in the hour she was gone for lunch.
XXXXX
It was about three o'clock, and Draco was ready for a break. He had been at his haberdasher's, getting fitted for next season's wardrobe. Just because he ended up in a black cloak four out of the seven nights a week with a mask over his head didn't mean on the other three he was sitting at home, waiting for someone to call. He regularly attended balls and galas, fundraisers and concerts, and even patronized the Muggle theatres occasionally. I am, after all, a Malfoy, and we need to keep the appearance of being cultured for the Ministry. What he didn't tell anyone was that his personal nights off were about a million times more enjoyable than any night he was forced to run around in the dark, scaring people for a lunatic, instead of listening to a fine soprano or tripping the light fantastic. (A/N: Yeah, it's a really archaic phrase for 'dancing', but doesn't it sound fancy?) Appearances count, after all.
Anyway, he had been standing still for about an hour getting measured, after spending around three hours picking out shirts and suits, and pairing them with fabrics and colors. He wasn't gay; anyone that had met him face-to-face would rather eat a plate full of cow shit than even think the words 'Draco Malfoy' and 'gay' in the same sentence. He was the original metrosexual. However, it was really tiring, mostly since the man sent out to help him was new and kept suggesting stupid things, like 'I think the tux would look really good in snakeskin' and 'Do you want matching socks'. Anyone that had met Draco Malfoy for more than three minutes knew his motto was 'Simple yet Elegant'. Snakeskin was sooo '90s. He decided after he was done with this dumbbutt, he deserved a quick meal out. He knew of this little place that had just opened in Diagon Alley that served Muggle food. He had tried it once and quite enjoyed it.
He strolled along, looking at the shop windows, seeing if the newest broom was out yet. He had gotten the new Starchaser about a month ago, and they were supposed to be available for retail sale soon. Once he realized the store didn't even have the display model yet, he turned to Flourish and Blotts. He figured he'd get Hermione her book while he was here.
He stepped into the store, squinting a little so his eyes could adjust to the light. "Mr. Malfoy, what a pleasure to see you here," the manager trilled. She was older, around her seventies, and had been working here as long as he could remember. He smiled and returned her greeting.
"Abigail, how are you, my dear? I haven't seen you in a while. How are the grandkids?" They conversed for a few minutes. Finally, he broke in to the conversation.
"Abigail, I need a book for a special person."
"Well, you've come to the right place, then," she said, smiling.
"Good to know. Now, this person, she, well… she likes books. I don't know what she has, though, since I haven't seen her in a few months. I was wondering if you knew of any good books?"
She smiled again. "Of course I do. As a matter of fact, we just received the newest Anne Rice book."
"What's she write about?"
"One of her most popular series is the Vampire Chronicles, the first of which is called Interview With a Vampire. We just received it about an hour ago. It's in our Muggle Fiction. If you'll just follow me…"
He followed her to the back of the store, thinking that title sounded familiar from somewhere, and waited for her to emerge from the back room. She reappeared with a cloud of dust and some packing material stuck in her hair. "Well, here you are, my dear. Do you think she'll like it?"
"I hope so. Have many people put a copy on hold?"
"Just a few, one being our best customer, Hermione Granger."
Draco stopped in his tracks. "Hermione… Granger?"
"Yes, dear. She stops in at least once a week, if not more. She's a delightful girl, just delightful. Seems a bit sad, though, like she lost someone and hasn't been able to get over it."
"Right. Well, just put this on my account, would you? I seem to have left all my money at the haberdasher's." Abigail thought he seemed distracted, but didn't want to intrude.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy. Well, have a good day, then. Come back again!"
He waved vaguely at the floor and nearly ran into the door when he left. She's calling herself Granger again? Can she… is she… I… He sighed. I'm going to need more than a book. He sighed again and made his way to the diner.
He sunk into his favorite chair, near the window, and waited for the waitress. She came over and asked him what he'd like to drink.
"I'll take a beer, please."
"Not to contradict you, sir, but I want to tell you what beer is before you pay for it."
Draco looked up into her pale face. "What?"
"Well, sir, it's… waste."
"What?"
"It, well, it's pee, sir. Something about microorganisms eating and their waste is what beer is made of."
"Where did you hear that?"
"There was a young woman in here, at this table, actually, about three hours ago. She came in with a friend, who had an enormous appetite-"
"What did she look like?"
The waitress looked startled. "Well, ah, she had really long, dark, brownish-red hair, and it was curly, and she was kind of short-"
"And the friend?"
"She had really long, very red hair, I've never seen that color red before, and she was short, too-"
"Okay." Draco thought for a minute. "Well, let me tell you something. That first one you were telling me about, she is one of the smartest witches alive. If she said it's pee, it's pee. That aside, I want something mildly alcoholic but doesn't taste very good. I would say beer falls into that category, wouldn't you?" He smiled at her.
She looked like she was about to pass out, but smiled a little and went to go get his drink.
He reclined in his seat, watching the pedestrians pass by. The waitress brought his beer and asked him if he was ready to order. He told her he'd like 'an order of the fried cheese things that looked like fingers', he'd order dinner when he was done with them, and don't interrupt him with anything unless it was an emergency or to bring him another beer.
He watched the sun gradually sink lower in the sky. After about forty-five minutes, he ordered his dinner, a spread of ribs with chips and another beer. When the waitress sat the dripping mass of barbecue sauce in front of him, he nearly got sick. "That looks absolutely disgusting. What's it supposed to be?"
"It's the ribcage of some sort of animal with meat that you're supposed to eat off the bones."
"I, um, I can't. Please remove it from my face. I'll pay, but that has got to be one of the most disgusting things I've seen in my life." He got up, threw some gold on the table, and hurried out of the restaurant. He was concentrating on not throwing up so hard he forgot to watch where he was going and walked straight into a petite woman with long hair and knocked her flat.
A/N: Who'd he knock down? Hehehehe!
And: Poo. I think this chapter was kind of poo-y.
Later,
-Kat
