Authors Notes: Do I have to say it? I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY! Honestly, I am the most unlucky author in the world! I have finished writing the 'original' third chapter a couple of months ago. It's ready for beta editing and such when I found out that my dad re-formatted my computer! All of my files are gone including, of course, the original third chap. I felt really depressed and didn't touch my PC for about a week. Only the past month I decided to write it again. So I hope you all understand me, you don't know how much emotional turmoil for me to do again what I really worked hard for. But anyways, here's the third chap. Its quite lengthy so I hope its worth the wait! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me other than the plot and other characters you don't recognize.
The Secret Kept
By: villainvalkyrie
My tears are turning into time
I've wasted trying to find a reason for goodbye…
-Over by Lindsay Lohan
Chapter 3- Revelations
A girl no more than 22 stood in her bedroom balcony, her hands firmly resting to the rail. She looked up admiring the wonderful view of the magnificent sight full of bright stars artistically pasted on the black horizon of the sky. As she stood there tracing patterns of various constellations, one particular thought is invading her mind. Just merely thinking of that specific thought, resulted her different pros and cons to the deed she is force to do.
The creaking of her bedroom door broke her trance and instinctively turned around only to face her father evidently looking very tired.
"Father" she said smiling and giving him a small kiss in the cheek. "Fancy seeing you here, are you lost or entered the wrong room perhaps?" she joked.
It was very rare for her father to come and visit her at night. Mainly because of his work, he's always tired or too busy to bid her goodnight. At times, they don't even see each other the whole day.
"No, no I'm not lost my child." The old man said hugging his daughter lightly. "My feet have brought me where I really want to go." He studied her for a while and blurted out suddenly "Tell me, what has been bothering my princess?"
"What makes you think there's something bothering me?" she asks in amazement.
"I think it's what you call the 'Father's Intuition' or to make it more evident, you've been star gazing." Gabrielle eyed her curiously. "Ever since you were a little girl those little bright lights in the sky never fails to calm you when you're down or just simply thinking. You treat them as if they are your only confidant. Now don't think about lying to me now." He said sensing her about to retort. "You can tell me anything my dear."
Gabrielle hesitated for a second but immediately shrugged it off. She sat at the edge of her bed, fidgeting her fingers slightly. "It's about the arrangement of me and Draco getting married."
She looked at her father urging her to go on.
"Well, I just think that it's wrong. We are at the right age; both of us are eligible to make this decision for ourselves right? And…and well it doesn't feel right for you to do the decision-making for us and leaving us without a say at it. I'm not ready for this." She finished with a sigh and looked at her father hopefully.
He sat beside her and taking Gaby's hand with his. "Please understand Gabrielle, the Malfoy's has been always there to support us on our teething troubles and they helped a lot to attain our good status today. And now they need help, it's up to us to return the favor." Seeing Gabrielle not responding he continued. "I'm not just doing this just for a favor Gab. I am doing this for you, for your own good…and for the good of others. All I want is the best for you, and maybe you marrying Draco wont be much of a worry for me and for the others who love you knowing that you're in safe hands –"
"I understand entirely everything Father, but what about my sickness? I don't reckon you told them." she murmured.
"Narcissa knows about it and she will assist you in any possible way she can. Draco on the other hand has no knowledge of this. I feel that he has enough problems to think about and adding it will not be much help. Knowing Narcissa, she will not say a word." He breathed.
She turned to face her father, her face full of emotion. "My heart and happiness is at stake." She whispered.
"Love can be learned."
"Not by force."
"Even by force." He muttered kissing her forehead. "It's not like you're forced to marry a troll or anything. Draco is a kind young man and quite the lady's man. From what I heard every witch in England is bowing at his feet. Well not literally, you know what I mean" He laughed lightly but earning no response from Gabrielle. "I apologize sincerely for putting you into this quandary Gabrielle all I'm asking you to be patient and give Draco enough time to accomplish what he has to do. After that, I promise we'll do something it to get you out of this predicament you're in."
She smiled in doubt. "How in Merlin's name are you going to do that?"
"I have my ways." He said mysteriously.
"You promise?" her voice full of anticipation
"I promise. Good night my sweet princess." He said kissing the tip of her nose.
Gabrielle bid him a short good night and watched her father leave the room. She went back to balcony and rewinds all the things she and her father talked about. Somehow, she feels as if a small weight has been lifted by telling her father what she felt about the situation. Moreover, after the short conversation, a voice in her head says it's not going to be so bad after all. Well of course after of what her father promised. She was confident about it because never, not once did her father break a promise.
A smile spread across her face because for the first time in 2 weeks she was at ease.
Due to his mother's incessant persuasion, Draco stayed at the Manor for dinner just to stop her from annoying the hell out of him. As they were eating, his mother would often throw constant glances at him. What really pisses him off is she got this certain glint in her eye. And he doesn't like it one bit. Something is up.
He got fed up and suddenly banged his fist at the table rattling few silverware.
"Dammit mother, just say what you have to say and be done with it." he said angrily.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy! I will not tolerate such behavior in this household. You are mature to distinguish what's right from what's wrong." she almost shouted.
He cut it short to stop her from nagging all the way again. "I will bloody curse when or where I bloody like."
"Fine" she ignored it and continued. "I have been saving it after dinner but since you caught me, alright 'I'll be done with it'" she mimicked. "Do you remember Gabrielle Le Clerc?" There it goes the glint in her eyes again.
"My memory still works marvelously fine mother, of course I remember her." He said with a slight hint of annoyance.
"So, what do you think about her?" Damn that glint.
He looked at her quizzically. "I think she's--- I don't know I haven't seen her since I was 11. What about her?"
"You haven't seen her since you're eleven? She was at the Victory ball with her father." She asked, obviously shocked.
"Well then, I didn't get the pleasure to meet her again."
"I guess you didn't meet her because you're too busy gawking at Hermione" She commented raising an eyebrow.
He slumped in his chair and glared at her. "Mother, drop the subject." raising his voice.
"As you wish." she said sipping her glass of wine. "Well I just talked to Benedict earlier this evening—"
"Benedict Le Clerc? The French Minister?" he mumbled quietly.
"Yes now don't interrupt me, as I was saying I just talked to him and guess what? Gabrielle happily accepted, in a few months time she will be the next Mrs. Draco Malfoy." She breathed happily, smiling widely.
Draco was shocked. Yes, he was the one who asked first who is he going to marry, but he did not expect her mother to find her a wife that soon. Not a bad choice either. Draco straightened his composure and did not show his astonishment. He wanted to say many things but only a simple "Oh" came out as a reply
"Oh? Oh is all you can say? Draco for Merlin sakes I am tired of all your retaliation, we are not going through this again!"
"What do want to me to do mother? Jump for joy?" replied by a very annoyed Draco. "Yipee, at last my mother found me a suitable wife to a marriage I don't want! Seriously mother, you know me better than that."
She frowned. "I didn't expect you to do that horrid action. I just thought you'd try to be happy about it knowing that at last I have found you a decent wife unlike the first one I picked."
"Well you thought wrong!" he said hotly.
"She was your childhood friend, and a very close one. Does that mean nothing to you? Gabrielle's a charming lady and at least you already know each other well enough for her to be your bride."
"What's the difference mother, I've known Pansy even before I could walk, yet I despise her more than anyone." 'Well of course except for Potter, Weasley and father' he added as an afterthought. "Childhood friend or not, it wouldn't be the same."
"I've already checked every girl your age, a year ahead and a year below. They are either not good for regaining the family reputation or else already married. A few girls did suited my qualifications, but did not passed yours. Only Pansy and Gabrielle are my final choices. What else do you want me to do?" said an outraged Narcissa.
It was now Draco's turn to raise an eyebrow at her. "Are you seriously asking me that question?"
She stirred uncomfortably and merely shook her head. Narcissa knew what he's going to answer. Cancel the wedding.
"I thought so, you wouldn't like the answer anyway." He smirked.
She ignored it and proceeds. "The final decision is in your hands Draco, its either Pansy or Gabrielle."
The question is simple yet so hard. Of course, he's going to pick Gabrielle, there is no way he's going to pick Pansy. But a voice in his head is saying that by making this decision he can't have the woman he loved. Forever.
He stared at her blankly and spoke without any emotion whatsoever. "I'm surprise you have to ask."
"I'm not really asking." Narcissa said. "As you said I know you too well, I knew you'll pick Gaby so I invited her and Benedict here at the Manor. They will arrive here next week for a short visit. Planning for the wedding and other arrangements is the main agenda. I expect you to be at your best behavior and take part on planning. Understood?"
He slumped back further in his chair and rubbed his temples. "Do I have a choice?" he mumbled quietly.
Narcissa stood up and approached his son. "No you do not" she replied holding his hand.
"The question was rhetoric mother."
"I know, I'm just reminding you." She answered.
Draco had enough, he can't take it anymore. The pressure of the will and wedding is getting on his nerves and its making his skin crawl with guilt and sadness at the same time. He got up and kissed his mother at the cheek. "Thanks for the lovely dinner mother, you know where you can contact me." And with that he stalked away with a more weight in his shoulders.
"Hermione, Mione open up please. I brought you some soup, it's almost dinner and you haven't eaten since breakfast." said Ginny, patiently knocking outside Hermione's door. She knocked again several times until she gave up and groaned in frustration. "Bloody hell, she has to stop this once and for all!" she thought irritably, but even though she hated what Hermione is doing to herself, she can't help but feel sorry for her friend especially how delicate her situation was.
However, she didn't knew how right she was.
"I'm going in." she said slightly annoyed. Using the classic 'alohomora' spell, she slowly opened the door. To her surprise, she didn't see Hermione in her bed. 'Maybe she's in the bathroom' she thought as she put the tray of food at the side table and approached the door in the right corner, "Mione, you there?" Seeing the bathroom door open, she gasped not finding Hermione there also. At this, she grew panic. She did not know what to do next. 'Holy shit Hermione, where are you?' she thought running her hands in her ginger red hair. 'Ron and Harry will kill me'
She was pacing around the room unable to decide what to do next when she noticed a folded parchment placed next to a picture frame at her bedside table. Her name was scrawled at the front side of the parchment. Hurriedly, she picked it up and read.
The letter was hastily written and knowing Hermione she will not do something so sudden, everything is planned. Obviously, this time it's not. 'What the bloody hell is happening? Where could she have gone?' She swiftly strode downstairs and decided to tell Harry and Ron though she knew it will be useless, because there's nothing they can do. Hermione is a very stubborn witch and she do what she thinks is right. No one can change her mind. But they must know.
Ginny gathered a quill and a parchment. She wrote Harry a quick note of what just happened and told him to tell Ron since he's is only a few departments away. In a matter of minutes, Harry and Ron apparated in the living room with a loud pop looking confused and angry at the same time. They started bombarding Ginny with rains of question that caused her to cast a silencing charm on the both of them. She explained how Hermione would not open her door and she had too use magic to open it up, to how she found Hermione not there and finding a piece of parchment instead. After that, she released the spell and waited for their reaction especially about the letter. Surprisingly they didn't seem to be interested in it, but unsurprisingly, Ron was the one who crack first.
"I bet all my galleons at Gringgot's, Malfoy is the main root of this." cried Ron. "Now with Hermione has gone somewhere, there's no one stopping me killing that ferret!
"Since when it wasn't about that jerk!" said Harry, also really annoyed at the situation. "That sodding prick! I didn't know what Hermione saw in him. Do kill him now because, we have to go find Mione and fast."
"I will, as soon as I call the Granger's and the others, maybe they know where she went. By the time we know where, that ferret's furry little head will be served in silver platter courtesy of me." Ron said angrily.
Ginny joined them in the couch clutching the letter in her hand. "Wait a minute you guys, I think there's no need to be brutal here. Maybe he is the main reason, but we might be wrong also. You should both read this, Mione wrote that before she left. It's only a brief explanation, but I'm sure we'll find out when she comes back." She said handing them the letter.
They reached for the letter and both read it aloud.
Dear Ginny,
I'm really sorry for not informing you personally of my sudden departure. Something else came up, and I don't think I can resolve this by moping around all day. It won't help me one bit, so I left. I just need my space, a space where I can think clearly and set my mind up straight. It'll take me sometime to refresh, not only my mind but also my soul and I want to do it alone. I hope you all understand and support my decision. I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself and this is my choice. So don't you worry about me. I promise I'll return safe and hopefully at sound.
Love, Hermione
When they both finished reading, they look absolutely worried and confused. Ron being the high-tempered one kicked the side table causing his toe to throb painfully. Harry on the other hand remained silent.
"What does she mean something else came up?" cried Ron, clutching his throbbing toe. "Whatever it might be it has to do something with that ferret! What else can have driven her to do something so reckless? I bet no one knows where she is, even her parents."
"You're probably right, but no matter Ron, I'll locate her with a tracking device we Auror's use" Harry said determinedly. "I will not let her wander around out there in Merlin's know where. What was she thinking! She might end up in the middle of nowhere thinking of that pathetic jerk who's not even worthy to shine her shoes!"
"Harry, calm down! I know Hermione has a very good reason for this; she will not do something this drastic unless it's urgent. Plus, knowing her she already cast a disillusionment charm on herself so you can't find her in any tracking device you have. She just needs to be alone for awhile, and I think it's the best thing to do." Ginny said. "I know you two are worried, I am too but I have enough sense to put myself in her shoes and she was brave enough to handle this in the first place. A girls mind is a very complicated place—"
"Tell me about it" Ron mumbled.
"—and there comes a time that she needs only herself and herself alone to overcome that certain difficulty in her life."
Her speech made the difference, Harry and Ron both complied with her and Hermione's wishes. Ron restrained himself dismembering Draco and Harry beating the hell out of him at work. However, he took his chances to find her in one of his tracking device, and Ginny's right Hermione did put a disillusionment charm of herself, she can't be tracked down in any device he owned. He just hopes she turns up soon or else he would search the whole world to find her.
Five days have passed and still Hermione has not returned. The last five days has been like an eternity, every night Ginny would stay up late hoping for Hermione to show up. Often, she would sit herself down at work, trying to remember places where she could probably go. She didn't know that the two boys have been doing a nightly search after every work at the ministry. To no avail, they retired at home empty handed, thinking its either Hermione is good at picking secluded areas or something bad has happened. And that pursued them more to search for her.
On the seventh day of her absence, Ginny started to panic. How long does it take her to make up her mind? She was in the middle of her thoughts when a flash of lightning thundered in the sky and in the blink of an eye, it had started to rain. She shivered involuntarily and decided to get some extra blanket in Hermione's closet.
Opening the closet, a ball of crumpled paper fell out. Curiosity hit her when she noticed that the parchment is tear stained. She spread it open and read, and before she knew it tears started trickling down her eyes. Ginny collapse in the nearest chair and clap her hand on her mouth. She sat down there for a good 10 minutes when her eyes caught the sight of a photograph. The same photograph where she found Hermione's letter to her. It was picture of Hermione sitting at the shore playing with the blue water, contented and happy. Then it suddenly hit her, 'You're so dumb Ginny, why didn't you think of that before!' she scolded herself.
She ran down the stairs to tell Harry and Ron of her new discovery when a thunder roared in the sky causing her to jump in surprise and dropped the parchment leaving it lying forgotten in the ground.
Dear Miss Granger,
Greetings! This letter bears the results of the tests you have a week ago. The thorough check-up we have conducted on you shows that you are completely healthy and does not have the flu you thought you have. However, there is a reason why you are feeling a bit sick lately, and this may give you quite a shock. Miss Granger, we are happy to inform you that you are 6 weeks pregnant. You will be due by November this year. And we, the Healers of St. Mungo's would like to extend our deepest Congratulations to you.
Please do set up an appointment with us at least later this week for further information. Once again, Congratulations!
Signed By:
Elaine Lightfeather
St. Mungo's Chief Healer
Order of the Merlin 3rd Class
Busily rummaging through his desk drawers, Harry Potter suddenly heard someone cleared his throat. He looked up from the tall piles of paperwork in his desk. There he saw the man who deliberately interrupted him. He's at least six feet with a gorgeous and perfectly trimmed silvery blond hair, leaning in the doorway looking so smug.
"What do you want Malfoy?" said Harry with a disgusted look.
Draco smirked as he place a thick brown folder over Harry's pile of papers. "Just so you know The-Boy-Who-Lived-To-Irritate-Me, these are the files you've been searching for, for merely 2 hours and a half." said Draco grinning broadly than ever.
He could sense smoke escaping from Potter's ear, as if he is ready to strangle him right then and there.
"Gee, how thoughtful of you presenting it to me now." said Harry sarcastically.
"It is my absolute pleasure." said Draco totally ignoring the sarcastic tone.
"Boy, we sure are in the good mood, eh?" mocked Harry. "I don't see you slacking in your office like there's nothing to do. I presume there's a very good reason to it, huh?" he asks knowingly.
"Perhaps, but you're barking mad Potter. Is it a crime to be jolly anymore? Or maybe I just like to get on your nerves." He smirked.
'You good for nothing jerk, I know all about it. So don't try fooling around with me.' He thought but he held his tongue. "Is that all? I must say you are wasting my precious time. I have many things to do because I do not laze around, mixing work with my personal matters and believe me I have many. Therefore, I suggest you scamper along in your office, do some planning's and get the bloody hell out of my office."
"My, my, aren't we the feisty one." Draco scoffed. "But don't you worry Potter, I wont hang around this godforsaken place you call an office." He turned around and went for the door.
He was about to bolt the door shut when a roar of green fire illuminated from Harry's fireplace. Just then a very familiar voice of a girl started chattering franticly.
"Harry, I think I know where Hermione might be and I also found out why she left. But that doesn't matter anymore. I have a very good feeling about this, I think we better go there." She finished breathing heavily.
It took Draco a moment to absorb what he just heard. Where Hermione might be? Found out why she left?
"W-What? How? Where?" Potter stuttered obviously worried but there's a slight hint of bliss in his voice.
"I'll explain to you everything later together with Ron, contact him and apparate here immediately. It's been a week since she left and as much as I want to comply with her wishes we need to butt in especially in her fragile situation. Just meet me here and we can go together, I'll be waiting."
'Fragile situation?'
The green light disappeared and he heard muffled sound of drawers closing, before he knew it Harry is standing in the doorway.
"Eavesdropping in our conversation, and here I thought you couldn't be so shallow." Said Harry anger rising up to his eyes.
Draco forced himself to ignore it and retaliate. He needs to know what's going on. "What the bloody hell is that all about? Where's Hermione?" he demanded.
"It's none of your bleeding business Malfoy." Harry said sharply stepping out of his office, but roughly shoved inside by Draco.
"It is my business as it is yours. Now tell me what happened." He demanded once again, holding Harry by his collars.
Harry sneered and disentangled himself from the other man's grasp. "Don't act as if you care, you're the one whose behind all this." He spat acidly. "If I were you, I would get ready for the arrival of my beloved fiancé." He motioned for the door but it was again blocked by a very angry Draco.
"What are you talking about?"
Once again he sneered at him; he retrieved something from the pile of paperwork in his desk and shoved it roughly at Draco's chest. "Don't play innocent with me, the whole wizarding world knows about it." And with that he left without another word.
Draco seized the mass of paper rammed at him and held it in front of him. It was a copy of the Daily Prophet. The headline of the infamous paper stunned him and instinctively read the article below.
MALFOY HEIR WEDS FRENCH MINISTER'S DAUGHTER
For two love birds that could never be purer, the wedding of the year is here, writes Katie Chartick. Draco Malfoy, 21, the handsome son of the deceased Lucius Malfoy and social butterfly Narcissa Malfoy is said to be officially engaged to French Minister Benedict Le Clerc's stunning daughter, Gabrielle Le Clerc, 21. The Le Clerc's will be arriving later this day and will be staying at the Malfoy Manor.
"Damn, I forgot. They are arriving today. Where is my mind all these days?" he mentally kicked himself.
Sources say that the two love birds have known each other since infancy and were childhood sweethearts back then. "I can't tell you how very happy I am when Draco informed me of this joyous news. Gabrielle is a lovely girl, no one could ever be better." says the soon-to-be-groom's mother Narcissa Malfoy.
"Joyous indeed" he though sarcastically. "Mother can make an excellent actress."
However if you will remember, the said Malfoy heir made a rather romantic proposal to Hermione Granger, 21, a few years back at the Victory ball held at the infamous Malfoy Manor. Hogwarts Valedictorian, Hermione Granger a pretty muggle born witch and Draco Malfoy has been officially going out since. What could have happened to them? "A few weeks ago Miss Granger visited Mister Malfoy in his office and caught him in a very compromising position with his former Hogwarts girlfriend, Pansy, I think her name was." Says an inside source who chose to remain anonymous. "They created such ruckus that every single one is looking up from their cubicle. Tears overflowed Miss Granger eyes as she gave back a shining necklace to Mister Malfoy. She walked away still tears falling freely at her eyes and Mister Malfoy just stood there. As she fled, there was no doubt they're gone. It was a very emotional day indeed." Draco Malfoy sure is quite the ladies man, those three girls certainly plays a big role in his life. But I think he finally takes his pick, the girl who captured him heart completely.
According to Narcissa Malfoy, the wedding details are yet to be planned, but it will be held sometime later this year.
'Whoever that loudmouth tattle tail is will pay big time!' he thought. He threw the paper across the room and put a mental note to get back at his mother and that vociferous hag who's brave enough to meddle with his personal affairs.
Draco stormed off the room hurrying to go down to apparate at the manor grounds. 'If Potter is too thick to tell me, I'll going to find out myself.' He thought desperately. Why, he does know but somewhere deep inside him knew he has to see Hermione. Though he has no intention on denying all of it, he just needs to calm himself that she's well. He still loves her and he will curse himself if something bad happened to her.
Once at the manor, he ran into his mother and just simply said, "I'll deal with you later". He quickly ran to his old father's study and went to a very old looking model of a globe. It's a tracking device used by his father to know where the Dark Lord is or anyone for that matter. A very useful tool because it can find anyone anywhere in the world even he or she is protected by a very powerful magic. It's the only one in the world and of course Malfoy's have only the best. He tapped it twice with his wand and said her name. Suddenly a blue flashing light protruded somewhere at the globe, then it became steady and turned red.
"Gotcha"
Authors Notes: So there you have! The third chappie! I really hope you all enjoyed it! And again, SORRY for the long wait, and for breaking my promise. I feel really bad for not updating for almost 4 months. You know the reason, so please bare with me.
Anyways, I'm in desperate need of a beta, so if you are interested to beta read for me. Please! Email me! Or just leave a review with your email address. I have a huge, huge problem with my grammar, but not in spelling mind you. lol
By the way, if watch Chasing Liberty you may be familiar with the name 'Gabrielle Le Clerc'. Obviously I got the name from that exact movie which is by the way one of my all time favorites. I know I sound like a friggin' plagiarist here, but hey I grew really fond of that name and I thought it would be a perfect name for Draco's fiancé. Don't you think!
As always THANK YOU to my reviewers:
Haunt for Twilight, Heather, princessugar, Purple Jell-O, hufflepuffgirl88, allie, serlene, slyswn28, runaway mental patient, Kara Black, Hogwartsboizrhottiez, sxcting…
Nova Janna: Thank you for reading my fic! I love your's very much!
Swtdohtee: In what way are you confused? Anyways, thanks for reading my fic. You fic is cool, but I didn't read it because to tell you a little secret, I know the whole story. Lol
Hogwartstollaway: Okay, That has got to be my longest review ever! Thanks for appreciating my fic. I hope you enjoy!
Oneloveforyooh: Thanks for the review and reading my fic! You fic is absolutely fantastic..! hoping for more.!
A/N: That's all guys! Till next time, I will try to make time to write the 4th chap. And I hope you'll still read my fic eventhough I don't update regularly. I'm really sorry for that.
Cheerio D/Hr Shippers!
