A/N: Here I am with another chapter and thanks all for the reviews! I love em all!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything other then Merle and Michelle plus the plot.
Chapter Twelve: Telling Hermione
Hermione yawned and smiled at Draco happily, "I can't believe its July. Last month flew buy… and it's a week till its August."
"Hmm," replied Draco before kissing Hermione on the cheek, "I care about you a lot, you know that don't you?"
"I do. And I care about you a lot too."
Draco kissed Hermione again before sitting up, "I should go. I have work in an hour."
Hermione sighed and sat up looking at Draco's toned back, "Is everything okay? This past week you have been acting weird."
"Stressed with work, sorry to worry you babe."
Hermione sighed and went and dressed for work. She had to pick Merle up to take to work for three hours until Harry came to escort her to court. Today they would find out the outcome on whether Emery would be sentenced to Azkaban or not. After dressing she returned to her room to find Draco gone.
"What is going on with you?" mumbled Hermione before heading to the kitchen to have some breakfast.
O
"Your home early," commented Narcissa when she saw Draco heading for the staircase, "I would have thought you would be spending as much time with Miss Granger until you left for France."
Draco merely glared at his mother and stormed up the stairs. How would she be if she were in his position? On Friday he had to break the news of Destinee to Hermione. He knew she would take it hard, over the past month they'd grown closer, Draco literally lived with her. He'd even met her mother who he found to be a lot like her daughter. Of course they went when Merle was at her court case.
Draco opened his bedroom door and slammed it behind him. He walked to his cupboard and pulled out his work uniform.
Yes, today was a bad day because Draco Malfoy was in a bad mood.
O
Hermione covered her mouth at the smell of the toast. She suddenly didn't feel like eating at all in fact, if she didn't make it to the bathroom in time she would be cleaning up in unpleasant mess on her kitchen floor. Hermione turned and ran out of the kitchen and down the hall to the bathroom. She knelt down and heaved into the bowl before all of the contents in her stomach exited the same way they entered.
After nothing else could possibly be brought up Hermione flushed the toilet and brushed her teeth as well as washed her face. She starred at her reflection before pulling open the medicine cabinet. She grabbed a little book that held dates of that time of the month. She scanned the dates and murmured calculations.
Horrified Hermione placed the book back in its place and shut the door looking at her paled reflection, "Oh no… oh no…"
She exited the bathroom and walked over to the table grabbing her purse and wand. She slipped on shoes and apperated.
O
"Good morning Hermione," greeted Linda, "Here to see someone or for yourself?"
"Myself," mumbled Hermione, "I… I need to see someone about pregnancy."
Linda looked at Hermione in shock; even she knew Hermione wasn't seeing anyone, "Okay… this floor. Go to the reception desk and someone will help you from there."
Hermione nodded and hurried off unaware someone had seen her.
Draco wandered over to the reception desk and smiled at Linda, "Was that the wedding planner woman?"
Linda nodded, "She's here to see a friend."
Draco nodded feeling relieved on the inside and headed off to his floor.
O
"I need to see a doctor about possibly being pregnant," explained Hermione urgently, "It needs to be soon because I have to get to work. I have a wedding to continue organizing and a worker to pick up… oh Merle! I forgot!"
"Calm down Miss Granger. I will have Doctor Johnson come and look at you. Go to ward four behind you," said the Nurse calmly.
Hermione nodded and walked to the ward her heart pounding. She sat on the bed and wiped away a few stray tears. This couldn't be happening. If she were pregnant with Draco's child it would make things worse between them. She wasn't going to be the second woman with a secret love child who couldn't be classed as his child to the world. Hermione let out a soft groan and ran a hand threw her curls.
"This is awful," she muttered.
"Hermione Granger?" came a voice entering the room.
Hermione looked up and broke into a smile, "Angelina Johnson? You're a doctor?"
"Sure am. How are you?"
"Well I could be better."
Angelina nodded, "So the Nurse tells me you could be pregnant?"
Hermione nodded, "I'm a week late and just experienced morning sickness."
Angelina nodded and pulled out her wand, "Lay down on the bed and pull your shirt up too where your rib cage ends."
Hermione did so and watched as Angelina murmured a few words and light glowed around Hermione's stomach before changing colour seconds later.
"Okay you can sit up and pull your shirt down," said Angelina writing something down on the clipboard. She looked at Hermione seriously and sighed, "You are pregnant. Two weeks along actually."
Hermione swallowed a lump in her throat and let out a low sigh, "Oh Merlin."
"I take it then that this isn't a good thing?"
"No. Especially when it's father and I can't stay together much longer."
Angelina nodded but asked no more, "Well did you hear that Oliver and I have a six month old child?"
Hermione looked up smiling, "Really?"
"Yes. His name is Shelton Aiden Wood. He is so adorable. He has his fathers eyes and nose."
Hermione smiled and placed a hand on her flat stomach, "I have to keep this secret from the father… so can you not say anything to anyone who works here?"
"Sure. Doctor and patient confidentiality."
Hermione stood up, "Thanks Ang. Say hi to Oliver for me."
"Will do."
Hermione said bye and left to go and collect Merle for work.
O
"Sorry I am late," apologized Hermione to her mother and Merle who were sitting at the dining table, "I umm… have something to tell you both. Merle you are part of this family so you deserve to know."
Hermione sat down beside her mother and let out a deep breath, "For the past few months I have been in a secret relationship with Draco Malfoy. I am not the reason why he broke up with Pansy or my reason for breaking up with Ron. We just have this connection where we understand each other without even trying too. But we can't stay together much longer. I'm going to Australia and soon he will have a new arranged marriage. But now something has happened that Draco cannot find out."
"What?" asked Merle and her mother.
"I am pregnant. Two weeks along… I was just at St Mungo's… and well… yeah."
Hermione's lower lip trembled as a wave of heartbreak and shock washed over her. Her mother and Merle jumped out of their chairs and ran to Hermione, both hugging her at once.
"It's going to be okay Hermione," soothed Merle, "We love you and will support you through this pregnancy and after it as well… you know what? I am coming with you to Australia."
"Oh Merle, no you love it here in England. You have weddings to plan," cried Hermione.
"Only two and they are within two months. I'm coming with you and that is final."
"I agree with Merle. You need support and besides you two have become like sisters. Merle should go with you Hermione. That way you have someone with you that you know."
"Argh look at me!" cried Hermione wiping her tears away, "Crying over a guy."
"He isn't just some ordinary guy Hermione," commented her mother, "When I met him I saw the way her looks at you… exactly the way I looked at your father or how I've seen your cousin look at his wife. He loves you and I know you feel exactly the same. You are just scared to say it because you feel when the ending comes it will hurt more… Honey it is going to hurt no matter what but I believe not letting him know he is loved will hurt you more then him."
"I do love him… I have for at least a month… I love every minute with him, even when he comes home from work in a bad mood or his parents have said something to make him angry. But what do I tell my friends? They hate Draco… and Ron, him and I have begun talking again and now this!"
"It all seems too much now Hermione but when that child enters this world, what they think won't matter," commented Merle.
Hermione sighed, "I can't tell him and that's final."
Both her mother and Merle nodded in understanding as Hermione stood up and wiped her tears away.
"Come on Merle. We should go and inform Luna about you coming with me so she can refer clients to other planners and she can place an add in the Daily Prophet for a new Wedding Planner apprenticeship."
Merle stood and both her and Hermione said bye to Anne before apperating to work.
O
"… find Emery Flint guilty of domestic abuse. He is to be sentenced to Azkaban for the total of ten years only to be out for his next court case in October. He is to receive no parole and if he escapes will receive a further ten years added to his sentence. Upon release of his sentence he will not be allowed within two hundred meters of Merle Tompkins, if he breaches the boundary Emery Flint shall be put back into Azkaban for a further five years," spoke the Judge dealing with Merle's case, "Listen carefully Mr Flint, the Ministry or her Wizarding world does not tolerate ant form of physical abuse nor do we deal with it lightly. Punishments are heavy and strict. Court dismissed."
Merle jumped up from her chair and hugged her lawyer and then Harry who had been by her side through the whole thing.
"Thanks Harry. No wonder Hermione and you are bestfriend's. You both are by that persons side no matter what or no matter how much they mess up."
Harry smiled, "Yeah. Hermione is amazing. She is always level headed and doesn't let anyone push her around."
Merle nodded, "I'm moving to Australia with her. You know, just so she has someone there for her that she knows."
"Yeah I have noticed you two have become close friends."
Merle smiled and nodded, "We have."
"Well come on. We should go tell Hermione the good news."
Merle smiled and nodded and both her and Harry apperated to Hermione's office.
O
Hermione closed Harry and Ginny's wedding file and sat down in her chair. Literally everything was completely planned. The Dursleys had changed their minds and had now decided to attend Harry's wedding. She pushed the file to the side and turned her chair around to stare out the window. Her mind wandered instantly to Draco, from how weird he had been acting to the fact she was now pregnant with his child and he couldn't know. Hermione sighed and placed a hand on the flat stomach.
"I might not find having you now the best thing but I bet I will when I see you for the first time… I will believe you are absolutely prefect and I know your father would love you to bits."
Again Hermione sighed and watched a group of birds sore through the air. She jumped when the door opened behind her unannounced. She spun around in her seat and smiled when she saw a cheerful Merle and Harry grinning at her.
"I take it the outcome was good?" asked Hermione.
"Absolutely perfect," grinned Merle, "And if the Medical Case goes against him he won't be out of Azkaban for a long time."
"Let's hope it does."
"Are you okay Herms?" asked Harry who had noticed his friends paleness and also the fact she was acting cheerful, "You seem quiet and not quite with it today."
"Fine, Harry. I think I haven't been sleeping properly."
"Oh the Mystery Guy."
"Something like that."
"What's going on Hermione?" asked Harry seriously as he sat down in the seat behind him, "Don't lie and say nothing because I know something is wrong with you."
"It's nothing Harry. I am just tired okay?"
"Hermione I have known you too long to fall for your cover ups. I mean it isn't even like you to not tell us who this Mystery Guy you are head over heels for is! Who is he Hermione? Why won't you tell us?"
"I can't tell you for a million reasons Harry! Besides in a few weeks or so it will be over. One reason is because I am moving away… and another I can't tell you."
"Is that so? Well let me enlighten you with something. I don't know who you are anymore. You certainly aren't the Hermione Granger I know."
Harry stood to leave but Hermione stopped him before he had the chance, "Harry wait."
Both Merle and Harry looked at Hermione curiously. Merle of course knew but was waiting to see if Hermione would tell Harry.
"If I tell you everything I need you to promise me something."
Harry's features softened to concern for his bestfriend and he nodded. All three sat down in silence before Hermione let out a calming deep breath.
"The person I have been seeing is Draco Malfoy. Before you say anything I didn't make him break up with Pansy and he isn't the reason why I left Ron or couldn't love him… Draco and I have a natural connection. I know you hate him, Harry and believe he isn't innocent, but no one is one hundred percent innocent. But he is amazing. He makes me feel things no one else can. But we can't be together forever as much as I wish we could be. I'm leaving for Australia and his parents are finding him another wife from France and well they hate my blood… I do love him, Harry, but now I have made a mistake… I'm pregnant with his child and he can't know… I have to break up with him… and it's going to kill me to do it."
Silence filled the room after Hermione finished explaining everything. Harry starred at the floor his hands clenched together tightly. Merle glanced at a tense Hermione and glanced at a silent Harry. Hermione focused on a quill with a white feather waiting for Harry to respond.
Harry let out a slow breath and looked up at Hermione before speaking in a slow calm voice, "I have dealt with many things in my life Hermione, from Sirius dying to facing Voldemort. But this is something different completely. Draco Malfoy… and my bestfriend… damn it Hermione, what on earth were you thinking?"
Hermione stood up, frustration replaced with anger, "What was I thinking? I was thinking perhaps I could have my chance at finding happiness in life! My entire child hood I spent it worrying about you and whether one day I would be watching Voldemort kill you. Or whether Ron would be killed by Death Eaters. Yes there were times where Ron made me happy but I was never one hundred percent happy with him, Draco makes me happy and once again I will be kissing off my chance of happiness and raising a child who will never know who their father is. No one, absolutely no one is saying you have to deal with this because it isn't yours to deal with, Harry. I have to deal with it and I will. Quit thinking its your job to save me or another damsel in distress because you aren't always the hero Harry."
"You know what, your right. Go find your lover boy and get him to make you happy. I couldn't be bothered with worrying about you."
"I never asked you to worry about me."
"Neither did I," snapped Harry storming out of the office and slamming the door behind him.
Hermione sat down overcome by tears. Merle rushed around to her and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Hermione let out a sob followed by a rush of tears.
"It's going to be okay," soothed Merle, "I'm your friend Herms and I will be by your side through this whole thing."
"I know," mumbled Hermione pulling away from Merle, "Thanks."
O
"What do you mean by never wanting to speak to Hermione again, Harry?" demanded Ginny following her fuming fiancée into the lounge room, "You have to see her, she is our wedding planner, our bestfriend!"
"And she is pregnant with Draco Malfoy's child because he is the Mystery Guy she is oh so in love with!" replied Harry who was returned with a stunned look from Ginny, which quickly changed to a glare aimed at Harry.
"Let me guess she explained it all to you as to why she loves him, how he makes her feel and you in return told her she was crazy and want nothing to do with her?"
"Something like that," mumbled Harry in anger.
"Harry James Potter you are stupid! She is in a situation and you are making it worse for her!"
"Yeah well she should've learnt her lesson… I mean they have to break up because he's got another arranged marriage and she's running away to Australia."
"That is a low blow Harry! I cannot believe you, when Ron finds out I know he will be angry but I also know, unlike you he won't abandon his bestfriend when she will need all the support she can get. Hermione stuck by your side through every thing and here you are tossing her away when she needs you!"
"She… he's… I hate it when you talk everything into sense."
"That's why you love me. Now tonight we are going to visit Hermione and you are going to apologize."
Harry grumbled under his breath before standing up and muttering about having a shower.
O
The week past and Friday had arrived. Harry did apologize and Ron was mad but both had now sworn to support Hermione. She still hadn't ended it with Draco but little did she know that Draco was about to break her heart even more.
Hermione poured two cups of coffee, one for herself and the other for Draco, who was waiting for her in the lounge room. Hermione let out a deep breath and walked out to the lounge room smiling. Draco looked up at her and smiled a little with a small thanks for the drink. Hermione sat beside him and both fell into silence. After a few minutes Draco placed his drink on the coffee table and took hold of one of Hermione's hands. Hermione looked up him curiously and look down at her hand to see him slipping a bracelet onto her wrist. It was silver with little diamonds covering the outside.
"Draco…" said Hermione in confusion, "What is this for?"
"Hermione… I love you," replied Draco sincerely, "You mean the world to me… I couldn't go a day without you… even though I will need too."
Hermione smiled and kissed Draco softly on the lips, "I love you too."
"Don't say that," whispered Draco, "Don't tell me that."
Hermione frowned, "What's wrong? You told me… why couldn't I tell you?"
"You just can't… it's making it harder."
"What?"
"We have to break up. Hermione… for three months I have known about my next arranged marriage… her name is Destinee Forest and she lives in France."
Hermione's mouth fell open as tears filled her eyes. She stood up backing away from Draco who looked at her in emotional pain, "Y-you mean… all this time… all the time we have been together and fallen in love you knew you were going to be getting married… why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't! I didn't want to loose you!" cried Draco standing up. He stepped towards Hermione who backed away even more.
"I fell in love with you… I trusted you! And all this time you knew!"
"I'm sorry!"
"But I told you when I found out about Australia… maybe not straight away, but I told you!" cried Hermione with tears falling down her cheeks, "I'm such a fool!"
"No your not… your not a fool."
"YES I AM! I should've stayed with Ron! I left him and went to you and now your breaking my heart!" screamed Hermione as more tears fell down her cheeks. Pain gripped her heart stronger then ever.
"Your heart isn't the only one breaking Hermione… when I said I loved you I meant it with all my soul. And I am honest when I tell you I was scared I would loose you if I told you," replied Draco looking at Hermione wishing she would let him hold her.
"Your loosing me anyway Draco so why don't you just leave now."
"Hermione, pl-"
"JUST GO! Go before I say something I'll regret the moment I say it."
Hermione turned her back to him, crying into her hands. She heard Draco sigh and whisper those three words that broke her heart more instead of mending it. Then he was gone with a crack.
Hermione turned around and let out a loud sob. She slid down the wall starring down the hallway before looking at the bracelet on her wrist. With a sudden burst of anger she pulled it off and threw it down the hallway. Instant regret filled her as she crawled down the hallway on her hands and knees and grabbed the bracelet and slid it back on.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry," she whispered over and over, "I love you too."
O
Narcissa smiled at Draco as he appeared in front of her, but the smiled fell from her face as she saw his face. Tears were falling down his cheeks, which shocked her considering Draco never cried. He fell to his knees and leant back on the lounge wiping the tears away.
"I told her I loved her… then about Destinee… I broke her heart and mine included…" whispered Draco, "I hate you and father more then you can imagine and nothing or Destinee can change the way I feel."
With that Draco stood up and left the room ignoring his Mothers soft sobs.
A/N: There you go… the end of their relationship but not the story. Review!
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