Disclaimer: Nah, never did own it, but it's bloody brilliant.
A/N; the pronunciation of Athalie's name I finally figured out. It's A-thal-ly. I think the "E" should be silent.
Chapter 5: Mature Love
So far this trip was not going well. Disputes and a loaded conscience left Hermione heavy hearted. It took her a while to get a changed, settled into bed, and then asleep. In fact she remembered seeing the sun rising before she actually drifted into slumber.
The next morning she awoke to the sound of luggage being dragged down the steps, knowing that it was almost time to leave for Paris. Groggily, Hermione hauled herself to the bathroom and prepared herself for the morning activities. As she was exiting she bumped into Draco, the person she was least willing to confront. He seemed weary himself.
"Morning" she greeted him. He nodded to show he acknowledged her and continued on his journey to his destination.
Desperate to start the day off well she spoke up "You seem tired." Hermione mentally chastised herself for stating the obvious.
"Well I can't exactly say I've had such a good night." He snapped wanting to badly end this pointless conversation. He wasn't in a mood to discuss anything. Draco would have liked it better if she just dropped it. It seemed to him that she was trying to make up and then ease her way into talking about it. "Not today." Draco thought to himself.
Her face fell and she lowered her head before mumbling "I should have expected that."
Again Draco attempted to walk away, not wanting to be bothered with her. He almost liked it better when she was not around. There was less nagging.
"Listen I'm sorry." she continued "but I don't know how you expect me to just forget --" Draco cut her off before she could say more.
"You sing the same sad song over and over. To be honest with you, I'm tired of hearing it."
This angered Hermione. "You know I really don't have to be here." She screamed before storming past him and off into the master bedroom.
Before she could slam the door in his face he added. "Then why are you here?"
Closing the door slowly she whispered to herself "because I love you."
Half an hour later Hermione was ready to go. On her way downstairs she passed the old nursery. Stopping to walk down memory lane, she stepped inside the pastel colored room stocked with a rocking chair, crib, and all other products necessary for infants.
Hermione walked across to the rocking chair, which her parents were kind enough to give her. On it was a pink teddy bear the size of a new born baby. She picked it up, smiling to herself. It was so soft and plush……reminded her of Athalie.
Hermione brought the teddy bear close to her nose. She deeply inhaled the baby scent which brought her some comfort. Slowly she drifted off, thinking about Athalie. Thinking about the day she was born, her first word, first footsteps……….
Footsteps and a voice belonging to her husband brought Hermione back to M.G. Estate.
"Are you ready? I'm almost ………" he stopped and examined the teddy bear. Draco's eyes softened for the first time since the night before. Hermione handed the teddy bear to him. For a moment he was speechless until he caught himself.
"I remember buying this for her a few weeks before she was born." Draco said meekly, smiling. He seemed to have drifted of into a dreamland where no one could interrupt his thoughts.
Draco sat in front the fire place worrying about his wife. Hermione left the Auror quarters early for some unknown reason. She didn't even have the decency to tell Draco herself. He had heard it from Harry that she was running some important errands. What errand could be so important that she had to leave work to do it?
Draco sat in front of the burning embers asking him self loads of questions. Often he found himself questioning her loyalty to him. After all it was past working hours and he did not know where she was and what time she would be home.
Immediately after, Hermione walked into the house smiling brightly. As soon as she saw Draco her smile disappeared as though she was trying to hide some excitement. "What was she doing that was so exciting?" Draco mentally asked himself once more.
"How was your evening?" Draco asked as politely as he can, hiding his eagerness for information.
"Fine." She replied shortly, hanging up her coat and removing her shoes.
"You left work early today. Is everything alright?"
Draco saw Hermione's facial expression switch from jovial to grave. "Since we're on the topic, I think we need to talk about that." Hermione said while directing Draco into the living room.
"I think you may need to sit." She advised.
"No. I don't think I want to sit, Thank you." Draco said, aware of the nasty tone his voice took. He did not mean to sound that way but the anger just happened to seep out.
"Okay………" she paused to search his face. "Today I went to St. Mungo's."
"Are you alright?" Draco said with genuine concern in his voice. Immediately his cursed himself for thinking that Hermione was being unfaithful.
"I'm fine, but I just wanted to know how you're doing today?" she asked.
"Hermione, what does this have to do with me?" Draco asked irritably.
"Just answer. How are you today?" She laughed and pulled him closer to her, so that they were on eye level.
"I'm fine thank you."
"Good. So you're positive that you're in good health."
"There was never any doubt. I'm a healthy man."
"Okay let me ask you something. And I want an honest answer" Hermione now began to play with his hair, running her hand through his thick blond locks.
"Alright." Draco was still wondering where this conversation was going.
"If I was forced to make a life altering decision, would you support me no matter the price?" Now Hermione's playfulness began to subside.
"Of course."
"You are willing to make sacrifices, right?"
"Yes, I'll do what's required to keep what I want." Draco answered smirking at his wife.
"So how do you fell about………" She trailed off to lower her eyes suddenly her focus was on his shirt button and her hands. She didn't dare meet his eyes.
"How do you feel about being a father?" She said finally after a prolonged silence.
Draco lost his balance and his knees began to feel wobbly. Surely he had not heard correctly. Slowly he slid down Hermione's body and onto his knees, not fully processing the information.
He hadn't noticed he'd broken out into a cold sweat until Hermione wiped his brow.
"This can't be true?" Draco whispered in between a laugh. He looked up at Hermione for a final statement.
"I'm pregnant." She said once more with tears brimming in the corner of her eyes. Out of sheer excitement, Draco jumped up and kissed Hermione. He rejoiced for the next five minutes before settling down.
He was going to be a father. This was a huge step for Hermione and Draco, Parenthood. It would be hard but they were somewhat ready to take on any challenges that came their way. Who knows, maybe in ten years they would be sending their child go off to Hogwarts, only with good grace.
Draco felt a hand on his shoulder, knowing it was Hermione. Her gentle touch along with her floral scent made him forget that he was upset with her. It was quite immature, the way he dealt with his marital problems, always refusing to talk about it and holding a silent grudge for days. Shutting people out was his best option, but not with Hermione. She was something special.
Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist and brought him closer. From then on all the anger dissipated and a passion began to fill her, not the lustful passion that used to burn her skin back in Hog warts. It was an entirely different feeling that she and Draco acquired throughout their marriage.
"I can't stay mad at you." he started, "How I got this way still remains a mystery even to my self, but I know I have you to thank for it."
"Some things just come with time." was Hermione's response.
A silence between the two let them know there was a non verbal understanding. They both have squared with their mistakes and are ready to start a fresh.
By means of a port key, Draco and Hermione traveled from London to a small one level house in the outskirts of Paris. It was a classic brick house with a solitary mailbox bearing the name "Marcel Valentin" on a vast well kept lawn. It seemed to be the only house within miles of another. The area was quiet and full of trees. This type of residence was not one which Hermione would think her husband enjoyed spending his time.
Draco took her bags and led her inside. Upon opening the door, she saw that the house's exterior had deceived her. Inside, although it was only one floor, was a grand area. The foyer, tiled with white marble, led into the living room, decorated to Draco's own developing taste. The poinsettia walls contrasted nicely with the black leather furniture and the polished wood floor.
A corridor to the right of the living room led to the kitchen, decked in stainless steel. And to the left another corridor served as a passageway to the rooms. Down the hall and the first door down the left was a guest room and across the hall was the bathroom. At the end of the hall a double door led to the master bed room.
The master bedroom had a strong modern and contemporary feel about it, with bold patterns and accents here and there using vanilla creams and chocolate browns. In the center was a four poster bed, made up with crisp white sheets and a gold comforter on top.
Through another set of double doors, was Draco's study. Hermione was about to walk away and inspect the kitchen when something caught her eye. On his desk along with a few other papers were their wedding pictures and a familiar piece of jewelry.
Hermione moved closet to examine the necklace. It was ruby heart on a gold chain……it was familiar.
"I was hoping you'd remember that." Draco cut in from behind.
"How could I forget?" Hermione answered back, seeming a bit dazed at the moment. Back when they had that sweet adolescent love, Draco presented Hermione with a gift. It seemed almost insignificant compared to all the other things they shared, but this piece of jewelry was of great significance in their relationship.
Hermione gently shoved the necklace and into her pocket and silently walked out. On her way out the master bedroom she bumped into someone she had never met. She was a scantily clad, large bust woman, no doubt French with long raven hair and dark blue mysterious eyes.
"Excuse me?" Hermione nearly yelled. She was not too comfortable with this woman here and who was she?
"Yes" she answered back with a slight attitude. She looked down upon Hermione from her nose.
"Can I help you?" Hermione eyed her and envied her small waist. "I remember when I had that shape"
"Excuse me madam but who are you?" she answered folding her arms.
"Me……funny thing you should ask. I was going to ask you the same thing." Sarcasm dripped from every word Hermione spat at this woman.
"Look I do not know who you are, but surely when master Draco ---."
"Master Draco?"
"Yes he will be – ---"
"Thank you Veroniqué that will be all." Draco cut in.
"Master Draco!" her eyes lit up with delight as she moved forward to embrace him.
"It is time for formal introductions!" Draco said pulling Hermione closer. "Hermione, I would like you to meet Veroniqué, my cleaning lady." Hermione stretched out her hand to shake Veroniqué's as the fact slowly seeped in.
"Cleaning lady," She thought. "Surely not dressed like that." Hermione surveyed the woman dressed in a revealing white dress and fishnet stockings. Her attempt to pull off a maid did not fool Hermione.
"OH. So this is Mrs. Malfoy." Veroniqué's attitude quickly disappeared and it was replaced with mock delight. "Why is she really here?" Hermione thought again. A woman of that stature was not fit to be a cleaning lady. It made Hermione wonder.
"I've heard a lot about you and the baby." Veronique moved closer and Hermione was able to identify the jet black scorpion tattoo on her neck in addition to the spiked rose circling her thigh.
"Well, I wish I could say the same about you." this made Veroniqué's fake smile flicker for a moment into a scornful look. Regaining her composure and remembering her purpose she quickly affected another jovial expression and attempting to move the conversation along.
"How is the baby? Alex, is that the name?"
"Athalie," Hermione corrected through clenched teeth. "And she is fine, very healthy and happy."
"You know I was thinking about keeping Veroniqué as a nanny ---"Draco was cut off by Hermione.
"I'm fully capable of taking care of my own child, no nanny included, thank you." she bit back.
"Oh! Look at the time. I should go start to prepare dinner." Veronique added lessening the building tension.
"Oh no that's all right you can take the rest of the night off, I was going to cook. As a matter of fact now that I'm here I don't think Draco would need you." Veroniqué's eyes lit up in fear.
"No, I don't think that'll be necessary. Veroniqué can stay." Hermione seemed almost appalled at his answer but she said nothing.
Veroniqué and Draco held each other's stare for a moment too long and then Hermione caught her eyes. Quickly she looked away and mumbled something about cooking.
Once she was out of the room Hermione began "Care to give me a full explanation?"
"Regardless of what she looks like, she's helpful so do not start reprimanding me about why I should not have her here."
"Helpful?" Hermione did not like Draco's tone. "In what respects?"
He did not answer immediately. What answer could he give her? Whatever he said would not please her.
"I wish not to talk about this now, besides we have other things to discuss." Draco answered directing Hermione into his study. Grudgingly Hermione followed.
She sat in the huge, comfortable leather chair in front of his desk. She waited patiently while he pulled out a few papers.
Smirking he started, making Hermione think this was all but serious business. "You love me, you trust me, don't deny it. I know you do. You'd do anything for me."
"A bit cocky, aren't we?" she spat.
He raised his hand in mock defeat and answered "Just simply stating the truth."
"What do you want me to do?"
"After this you'll probably want to leave me –"
"Draco stop the games!"
"Okay. Spy on Blaise. That's what I want you to do, plain and simple." He said leaning back smiling wickedly at his wife's reaction. A facial expression of anger, disbelief and utter amusement all in one was a sight to see.
"Are you mad!" she shrieked.
"I should tell you my insanity has been questioned in the past." Draco replied.
"And to think Harry went along with this!"
It's simple. All I need you to do is act like a……." he trailed of to find the appropriate word. "A messenger, the only key to me. I've got what they want so I'll make them come for it."
"And what is it that you have of theirs." Hermione asked fearing the answer.
"Nothing tangible, just a little incantation that may help bring them what they yearn most, Power."
"I don't understand." This was getting more complicated by the second, Hermione thought. An information overload was going to send her into frenzy.
"Blaise knows I'm the only one who knows this spell. It was taught to me, by none other than the Dark Lord himself, in case the worst should happen. Inevitably the worse did come, the war began and Voldemort was killed. He trusted me enough to pass this ancient incantation on to me to restore power in some forceful way. The old bitch is probably rolling in his grave now if he knew what I was doing." Draco explained.
"How powerful is it?"
Hermione was at the edge of her seat, yearning for answers. Is this what kept her husband away from home for so long, a spell?
"It's powerful enough to corrupt the minds of the most head strong wizards and destroy the most powerful wizard known." Draco continued. "I'd hate to see what England would be like after that. He'd wreck havoc. His plan is to first avenge Voldemort then finish what he started. This spell can give him the power that no other wizard could dream of having. He'd be too powerful to stop."
Hermione shivered at the thought of another Dark wizard. Not only a powerful one but unstoppable.
"I can't let it happen. There's no written record of it. Only what I know. I figured they'd force it out of me through torture." Draco said. "I remember the day I learned it. Blaise was seething in jealously and anger. We were friends until that day. After that he made it his business to destroy me for taking what was rightfully his." Draco stared off into a distant land.
"How are you going to use this to your advantage?" Hermione asked.
"I'm glad you asked. It's simple, really. I'm going to be traveling to five different cities and I'm hoping with your persuasion that he'll be inclined to follow me. My goal is to lure him to England in a week. He'd be so blinded with fury he won't even see the trap I'm setting." He smiled a wicked, sick, twisted smile, one that disturbed Hermione.
"This is what you'll do. I send you letters announcing where I am. You'll tell Blaise where I am and hopefully they'll follow." Draco continued to explain.
"And if they don't follow."
"Then I have something different in mind. Don't worry yourself. It'll all come together in the end."
"Dinner!" Came Veroniqué's voice from the downstairs.
"We should go eat. All this talking is tiring." Hermione suggested and Draco followed. As they arrived downstairs they saw Veroniqué with a bag in her hand. Hermione was slightly pleased to see she had taken her advice until Draco spoke up.
"Off again Veroniqué?"
"Yes, I'm afraid I don't want to intrude this weekend. I have matters at my flat to take care of. I'll be back though on Monday." She replied a bit too brightly for Hermione. The two women exchanged sour goodbyes and Draco escorted Veroniqué to the door.
In the dining room, she had set up for a dinner for two. She lit candles even though it was late afternoon. The sun was just about setting and the afternoon sky was beautiful. As soon as Draco returned, the pair of them sat and ate their dinner watching the sun set.
Later that night, after a hot bath, Hermione put on one of her favorite night gowns, a jade green silk gown with a V-neck. As she slipped it on she realized that she hadn't taken the necklace out of her pants pocket. She put it on thinking about the story behind it, which caused her to smile.
As she entered the master bedroom she saw that Draco was already there lazily lying on the bed with just his black pajama pants on, his hair not tied back. As soon as Hermione entered he noticed the distant look on her face.
"Think you want to come back to me now, Hermione?" he asked, pulling her down next to him and cradling her with both arms.
Tracing the heart shape Hermione said "I remember the day you gave this to me. It was the day of the Halloween ball. You pulled me aside and for no apparent reason you kissed me." She looked up at Draco only to see him in a dreamy state also. "I remembered never wanting to let go but I had to."
Draco stroked her hair while he reminisced. He remembered every detail clearly. He'd been watching her for a while and finally on that night he made a vow to himself to make her his.
"At the end of the kiss I remember feeling the necklace in my pocket. I wore it that night, hoping that you'd come back for a good night kiss and you never did……." She trailed off and Draco continued.
"I couldn't. You were out of reach, so protected. I couldn't risk my reputation yet, but I was willing to."
"That was the night you first laid eyes on me. Not as your typical mudblood but as a human being, a lady……
"Something to fight for." Draco completed her sentence for her. Then he kissed her lips very lightly as though he was afraid of breaking her.
"You know I had my doubts about marriage and you've done more than enough to prove me right but I never once regret it." Hermione said, close to dozing off. Her lids became heavy as she tried her best to stay awake.
"We've been through so much Hermione. From day one it was a task but we've come this far and it makes no sense giving up now. We're at a time and point in our relationship where things are just getting better." Draco's words were like a serenade to Hermione as she drifted deeper into sleep.
The pair understood that they have past all levels of maturity and gained a higher love from such long term relationship. It was true that they both would have to fight with the same amount of force to keep what they have, but it would all soon be worth it hopefully. One more battle to fight……just one more and maybe the last.
Sometimes you have to take a step backward to go ahead in life.