Chapter 3 is here, please review good or bad, and just to let a certain reviewer know I'm a big time
Harry and Hermione shipper. Lol
Chapter – 3 unforeseen circumstancesIt took Hermione a few minutes to adjust to what she heard. She looked up only to find Luna and Ron
Eyeing her with deep concern "Mione are you okay?" said Ron making his way around the counter
"Yes" she said a little shaky "You look like you just seen a ghost" he said "Come have a lie in my office"
he suggested "Oh god no, Ronald I assure you I'm just tired that's all" she hoped he would by it.
"Okay if your sure then" he said shrugging, yep he bought it hook line and sinker, but she wasn't so
sure Luna bought it by the way her eyes bore into her as if she was reading her inner thoughts.
"So as I was saying, Harry will be alright, I guess the whole shock of Draco being alive and then
finding out they both are on the same side, didn't sit to well with him" "Excuse me, did you say
Draco Malfoy was on our side" she felt her insides churn with every word, "Impossible" she cried
"Impossible, but true at least according to Dumbledore" Ron said
Her heart sunk, Draco wasn't supposed to be alive. She wondered why he had never tried to contact her
In the past two years. Cause you told him you never wanted to speak to him again remember a nagging
Voice rang out in her head. She had to find Harry, no wonder he was so upset. "Why does it seem your upset
about Draco, Hermione?" "It's not like he can do anything to you" he told her with exaggerated patience.
"You're a skilled witch, not to mention the wife of the one and only Harry Potter" "I find that highly unlikely"
he smiled warmly at his best friend. "Okay. You're right, I guess," she agreed, after a moment.
Hermione didn't know why it bothered her to suddenly hear herself endowed with a new name. Harry's name.
They'd only embarked on this whole thing a little over two years ago, and they had solid motivations for it.
There was no reason to fear it could get out of control. Get out of control, how? Only one way for it to do that.
Having the whole world find out Harry wasn't her daughter's father after all and that could never happen,
for all their sakes. Hermione forced a smile on her face as she looked at her friends "Well I better go home,
need to get ready for tonight". "You two still coming right?" she asked, "Wild horses couldn't keep us"
Luna said grinning "Great, see you at seven" she said tapping the counter "See you at seven" Ron replied
and Hermione headed to the lift, she needed to talk to Harry and talk they would.
It had been about an hour since he returned home and he still couldn't stop thinking of Malfoy. He was suppose
to be the bad guy, not part of the team. He had to make sure Hermione didn't find out till he had more to go on.
The door opened causing him to turn from the bay window "Harry tell me it isn't true" she pleaded, fear filled
Her brown eyes as she waited for him to tell her it was crazy. "Tell me Draco is not here," she pleaded once more
for the words. Harry sighed, she knew; he wanted to kick something; badly; "Hermione now is not the time to
discuss this," he said through clenched teeth. "Not the time to discuss this, Harry he is here, in London"
she stood in front of him; her face contorted in disbelief "I can't risk him finding out about Ashlynn, my daughter
isn't safe here Harry" "My daughter will be safe as long as I'm alive you hear me" he spat.
Hermione wanted to believe him, wanted to trust him, but this was her baby, "I'm going to take her away for
awhile, it's the only answer" she decided it as soon as the words came to her mind. "You think running with
Our daughter is a reasonable answer. But if you really want us to separate in bitterness and anger" he questioned
"Cause if you leave you know I won't forgive you"
"No, okay, you're right. I – I guess I don't want to part in anger, Hermione answered Harry at last, and he
slowly let out a breath he'd unconsciously been holding. "Good," he said. He didn't let her see how badly
he wanted her agreement. "It's nearly seven, Ron and Luna will be here soon, why don't you get ready to go
to Hogwarts. I'll apperate and grab Ashlynn from Molly" Hermione nodded, she would just have to trust him.
She trusted him that dreadful night two years ago; she should now.
"Right, I'll be ready by the time you return, but let me say one thing, Draco Malfoy is not to be trusted Harry,
it's really important to keep Ashlynn safe," she said softly before slipping off to her room. He stared at his own
reflection in the glass of the large mirror in the living room. She's right, you know, the reflection told him wisely.
He growled at the image staring at him. Of course she was right. He knew that. Draco wasn't a man you could
Trust and Harry didn't by far. But it was too soon to predict what would be Draco's next move, but rest assured
Harry would find out soon enough. Glancing at the clock Harry noticed it was six thirty, they had to meet
Dumbledore at seven, he'd better hurry.
Hermione heard the faint pop from inside her closet. Harry must have left to get Ashlynn. Knowing Molly could
Talk a gnome to death; Harry would be a few minutes, which allowed her time to ponder over Draco.
But she wasn't going to waste her time on things she could not change. Tonight was her daughter's birthday ball
At Hogwarts and right now that was more important. The three loud pops indicated Harry, Ron and Luna
Just arrived at the same time. Exiting her closet she stifled a laugh as she listened to Harry beg his daughter
To patiently wait to find out later where they were going. Ashlynn didn't give up easily.
The plan was to apperate to Hogsmeade and walk the little road up to the castle, it was times like this
Harry deeply wished Apperation were allowed inside Hogwarts. Don't get him wrong, he didn't mind
The walk; not in the least but Ashlynn was getting antsy and if he didn't eat something soon, surely
He would join, in her tantrums.
Ashlynn's eyes widen in amazement as they stood in front of the castle. Her ooh's and awe's caused the
group of adults to erupt with laughter. Harry was glad Dumbledore agreed to the birthday ball. Ashlynn
dreamed of this place since she could talk. At night Hermione and himself would tell her stories of the
Golden trio's years at the school of witchcraft and wizardry. Ever since she learned she would attend when
the time came; she demanded to see the school. Tonight Harry would make that dream come true.
Ashlynn Nicole Potter" Harry said extending a hand toward the castle "Welcome to Hogwarts"
Harry had to smile; for the first time is chatter box of a daughter was speechless as she stared at the castle, waiting
for it to disappear. "You bought me Hogwarts daddy?" she finally asked in awe. Ron was the first to laugh,
followed by Harry "I'm afraid you can't buy Hogwarts sweetie, but you own it tonight my love" he chuckled.
Throwing her chubby arms around his neck she squealed, "You're the best daddy in the world" Hermione wiped
The tears from her face as she watched her daughter hug Harry. He would never know how grateful she was to
him for opening his life to them. He treated her as his real flesh and blood, and Hermione couldn't help it
When she suddenly wished she were.
The tour had been a doozey, they had to admit, Ashlynn wouldn't rest until Dumbledore showed her every
nook and cranny that was Hogwarts, and much to the adults protest, he granted her every request.
Finally after much assurance there was no part of the castle she didn't see they headed to the dining hall,
for much needed food. Harry was so hungry, he couldn't help it as he stood next to Ron licking his lips.
Hermione and Luna just shook their heads as they passed; tugging Ashlynn behind them, they quickly
sat down at the Gryffindor table.
All was going wonderfully, Ashlynn was in heaven and it was nice to be back at Hogwarts. Hermione sighed
It felt good to just forget things for a while. She sat back and closed her eyes, For a minute she pretended she
was back in her first year at Hogwarts, free from worry, free from many horrid parts of her future life.
She opened her eyes with much regret; she couldn't hold it any longer if she didn't use the restroom soon
She would burst. Maybe she would pop in on moaning myrtle, see how the pipes were holding up.
"Harry, I'll be back shortly, running to the loo," Hermione told him. "Want me to accompany you," he asked
as he went to stand up. "Don't be silly, chat with Dumbledore, I can take myself to the restroom" she said laughing
Hermione blew a kiss to her daughter "Mommy will be back" she said. Smiling to the group she turned and
headed off toward the staircase. He silently watched her leave; he was surprised to see her here tonight, even
more surprised when she showed up with Potter and Weasley. They were here celebrating something; what
he didn't know nor did he care.
No one seemed to notice his presence all evening, or bothered to noticed when he got up from the table
And followed the woman. " Oh, I'm so glad you came to see me Hermione" Myrtle said happily.
Hermione grinned, drying her hands with a paper towel "I'll go get the others, and we'll come back up"
She told the happy girl.
The bathrooms were on the upper level, so she had to take the stairs to get back to the Dining Hall.
She was heading for the hall when she heard someone call her name and she turned to see who it was.
"Draco!"
Hermione hesitated on the stairs, dismayed to find that her stomach had begun to churn. Just butterflies,
She reassured herself, and forged on. The churning increased by the time he stepped closer to her.
"Hermione Granger" he said softly "I've been looking for a chance all night to get you alone. We really
need to have a good long talk, you and me." Hermione glared at him. Deep inside, her system was
shriving with revulsion.
"I have to get back," she said forcefully. "I just want to talk to you," he said sounding a little annoyed.
Talk; he wanted to talk; Not in this lifetime she thought as she turned away. He snagged her arm before
She could get her bearings and pulled her to a side alcove. She stared at him. He was still an attractive man,
But the sleaziness was beginning to show through the veneer of playboy good looks. Especially in his eyes.
How blind had she been not to notice that before? His eyes were cold, mean, and humorless. She thought of
Harry's warm gaze and Draco's absolutely repulsed her.
"Talking to you is the last item on my agenda, Draco. We've said all we need to say to each other and we
did it long ago." She sighed, "I don't agree with you," he said raising his eyebrow significantly.
Groaning Hermione frowned "Fine but I talk, you listen. Draco smiled, sure he would agree to that
He was actually quite interested in what she might say.
"It's been two years since I last saw you" she said to the man standing in front of her. "Two long, incredibly
difficult years, but time does have amazing healing powers and I finally found the will to go on, a will
much stronger than I ever believed I had." She gave a small smile before moving on. "You didn't win Draco,
I have survived. I have taken my life in my hands. My hands,' she repeated quite forcefully as those same
Hands gripped his hand to release her.
'I'm married now, Draco." His eyes seemed to widen a little in surprise then he quickly recovered. Hermione
smirked, "Yes, you heard me. I am now another man's wife. How your mind is looking for ways to curse
me to hear that" she bit out between clenched teeth. "Then you two must be very happy together, quite the
little love match" he bit right back. "Of course, I did not choose a love match. Would I be so foolish as to marry
a man who loved me? But we like and respect each other, he doesn't mind that I'm not pure blood, he doesn't
mind if I stand by my friends" with a defiant tilt of her head she looked at him. "You will say that means
he doesn't care about me. But you know what? I don't ever want to be cared for the way you cared for me.
And you're wrong anyway. Harry does care for me in his own way. And I care for him. He makes me feel good,
Something you never did for all your supposed loving.'
"Did I mention that my husband is Harry Potter?" Hermione asked. For a few minutes Draco didn't speak.
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she said that. "Do you hear me Draco?" Hermione threw
at him in a challenging tone, which didn't totally mask the underlying hurt and pain that twisted at her heart.
Tears threatened to spill but she dashed them away. The time for tears had long gone. "One final thing
Before I go," she said and scooped in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, relived to find the churning
in her stomach had finally subsided. "I always told my self to forgive you, that there were excuses for
your behavior. But I can't do that. What you did was unforgivable. I am leaving now, Draco, and this
Time, you should let me go. You are firmly consigned to the past. And I will do my best not to think
Of you anymore."
She tried to pull away from him, but his grip on her arm only tightened. "You know you don't mean that"
There is still a spark between us. Can't you feel it tugging on you?" This couldn't be the technique that
had stunned her into blind adoration over the years could it? She must have been crazy. And very, very dumb.
"Sparks don't do much tugging." She told him tartly, taking him literally just to annoy him, "not having the
arms that would require." "What?" he stared at her blankly, not getting it.
She sighed impatiently. "No, Draco. That's not a spark you think you see. It's a smoldering fire, a fire
of resentment at what you put me through that summer" He looked shocked at her reaction, as though
no one ever rejected him before. "Hey that wasn't my fault. If you had just waited a few weeks, I could
have gotten closer to Voldemort and you would have known everything" he spat.
This man was scum and what was she for having fallen for this stuff in the old days? It made her feel like
She needed a long, hot shower and a lot of lather from some gritty soap. "Let go of me Draco," she said evenly.
His grip was so tight it was starting to be painful. She glanced around, wondering if anyone would pass soon.
She might have to start yelling if this didn't stop. "This isn't amusing."
"No, Hermione," he said, his voice still smooth but his touch getting rough. "You're not being reasonable.
You have to give me a chance to explain." She tried to twist away, but his sinewy strength was too much
for her. " Draco, this is going to get ugly if you don't…" Another hand reached in and took hold of
Draco's wrist in a move that was obviously meant to inflict pain, and his grip on her arm came loose
Right away.
"Hey!" Draco cried out, jerking back. "Touch her again and I'll break your neck."
Hermione was breathless. It had happened so fast. Harry was there and Draco was backing away.
"You know," he was saying spitefully, rubbing his wrist, "Potter, you should really learn how to act in civilized
society." "If you Malfoy's are the product of civilized society," Harry retorted, "I'll stick to my low life ways.
And I don't need you giving me etiquette lessons." He slid his arm around her. "And neither does Hermione"
"Oh, that's right" Draco said sarcastically. "You speak for her now" "Yes," Hermione said loud and clear
"He can speak for me anytime he wants to"
Draco looked resentful and shrugged as though it was all the same to him. "We'll see how you feel about that
Tomorrow," he said. His grin was mean and humorless. Turning, he disappeared around the corner.
Harry looked down at her "What did he mean by that?" she shook her head "Who knows" looking up,
She smiled and without hesitation, threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "I'm so glad you
Showed up. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Anytime," he said but the way he hugged her in return didn't seem as enthusiastic as she would have expected.
"What happened anyway?" she pulled away "I was coming down from the bathroom and Draco waylaid me.
That's all." His dark gaze was searching hers, studying her face, looking for answers. "So what's the deal?"
He said softly. "Do you still have feelings for the prat?" "No Harry," she said earnestly. "I swear I don't,
Not in the least."
He wanted to believe her but he felt wariness he didn't even understand himself. "Then what's up with the
Reaction I see in you?" he asked carefully. Reaction? For a moment she wasn't sure what he was referring
To. How could her reaction look like anything but revulsion? But maybe it wasn't the current reaction he
Was talking about. Maybe it was what he'd noticed in her over the years.
"It's just" she licked her lips, wanting to get this right. "It's impossible to erase all the feelings, the years
build up in you. Don't you think?" Harry stared at her waiting for her to explain.
"Draco was a big part of my life at one time, I can't pretend otherwise. You wouldn't believe the huge crush
I had on him at Hogwarts. It was major. So when I got with him I was on cloud nine" she stopped herself
wishing she hadn't gone that far.
Harry waited not sure he wanted to hear this but knowing he had to. Her words were like daggers in his soul.
He had old girlfriends, too. So she'd had a crush that turned into a lover. So what? Most of the women he'd
ever been with had experienced much the same and it never bothered him before. Not many stood out or
meant anything to him now. In fact, over the years, he'd begun to wonder if falling in love was just
something he wasn't set up to do. It didn't happen. And now… now this. Now Hermione.
What was different about her? Why was she able to reach inside him and take hold of his heart, twist his
Emotions in a way no other woman had? He didn't know. But he listened as she finished her explanation,
Even though it was the last thing he felt like doing. "So I spent some time with Draco" she said, talking
Quickly, wanting to get this over with. "And I wish I never had. But I did. And it didn't take long to realize
That was all wrong. But it took a little longer to realize he was all wrong. Far from having warm feelings for him,
I really can't stand the man. I hope I never have to deal with him again.
He nodded, but his gaze was clouded, "Okay, thanks for being honest, I appreciate it" He gave her a half smile
"Hey, I came looking for you, our daughter wants her mother." She took his arm and they started toward
the hall. Something fluttered uneasily down in side her. Something about the way Harry had taken her
explanation hadn't quite jelled. He wasn't completely convinced. What could she do to prove it to him?
The rest of evening went as planned, neither spoke a word of Draco to anyone. They couldn't afford to.
They had decided when they went it to this to always keep it a secret. Not even Ron knew of their deceit.
It had been an hour since Ron and Luna parted their company and Ashlynn was tucked in, sleeping
soundly in her room. The trip to Hogwarts took a lot out of her, but she didn't mind at all. They both now
enjoyed the night sky. It was a little cool on the balcony, but she had on a long sleeve cotton sweater and he
wore a loose shirt of heavy jersey. They sat on wooden chairs with a small table between them and listened
to the sounds from the street below.
"Thank you for everything you did for Ashlynn tonight Harry" she said softly "And thanks for coming to my rescue
as well" "Hermione, I hardly need thanks for making my daughter's birthday a dream come true," he said
"As for Malfoy, I'd rather not talk about it okay" " You may have spoiled her tonight, you know" she said
changing the subject "I did not spoil her Mione" he groaned "Harry you spoil her and you know it" she laughed
He shrugged "Okay, I admit it" he said "Are you happy now?" "Yes" she nodded.
"You know she loves you so much, you really needn't bother with such gifts" she said, "I will make sure she
never wants for anything" "Harry I know you will make sure she doesn't live like you did" her mouth closed
when she realized what she said. She didn't dare bring up the element she was sure was a part of the way he
protected his heart and his feelings from too much close contact with anyone else.
The pain he went through due to the death of his parents lurked behind the cool exterior he presented to the world.
"Hermione I really don't think that has.." he clammed up, this was not going to be a conversation piece tonight.
"It's much better if you talk about it, bring it to the open" she said tentatively.
He groaned. "Spare me the psychology, ms.freud." He stretched his legs out, looking comfortable even
Though she was pushing a subject he didn't want to deal with. She felt a sudden rush of affection for him.
Why had she always considered him ill tempered, when he was cornered? She knew better now.
He was looking out at the lights "I suppose your going to make this the reason I have never married
Before you right? He mused softly. "Well…" actually that was a bit of a touchy subject for her to
Be getting into. "And I'm going to tell you that is all horse manure. Because, you know what? I haven't
Found a woman to marry because I've been to busy helping you. End of story." He turned on her challengingly.
"So what's your excuse?" She blinked, "Pardon me?" "Why didn't you find someone to connect to?"
"I … well, I …" "See? Not so easy when you're the one being attacked." He was right. And she deserved
what he was saying. But she didn't that the two of them where in the same boat. After all, she had a few
relationships in her time. He'd never kept one girl to call his own. And that had to be entirely through
his own choice.
"Have you ever been in love?" she asked him. He seemed to find that a hard one. Looking out into the night
he swallowed a couple times before he answered. "You got me there. I never have been." Turning, he
fixed her with his dark stare. "How about you?"
"Me? Yes, actually. At least I thought I was in love." "Oh of course. Draco Malfoy" he spat as he still
stared at her, and suddenly it felt as though his gaze was boring holes in her soul. But she knew it was
her own fault. She was the one who insisted personality analysis. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
"So what was that like?" he asked, his tone just this side of sarcasm. "A good experience? Did you grow as
a person? Did love turn you into a more compassionate human being? Or did it turn you against romance altogether
She took a deep breath. She really didn't want to talk about this right now. So maybe she should have laid
off him a little, too. Was that his point? Because she had to admit, he was probably right.
"You win," she said, looking up at him. "I'm sorry I pried so much. And you know what? I would really
like it if we didn't talk about Draco" He grimaced, looking away. "You see, it's the way you react
whenever Malfoy comes up that makes me wonder…" "Don't," she said shortly, stifling the fluttering
in her heart. Didn't he know that it was guilt that haunted her, not affection? "There's nothing to wonder
about. I cant stand the man. Now can we drop this?" He looked at her for a long moment, and then looked away.
"I guess I should go to bed, tomorrow is a big day at the ministry" "Already?" Despite everything, she
felt a sense of disappointment she hadn't been expecting.
Harry nodded, pushing himself to his feet and looking out at the velvet night. She rose and stood beside him.
"Whatever happens" she said softly "I'm really glad…" He looked down at her and smiled, touching her cheek
with the palm of his warm hand. "What? What are you glad about?" Hermione hesitated, wanting to keep
his hand there as long as possible. " I'm glad Ashlynn has a wonderful father" she said softly
"I never realized…" She looked up at him, at his green eyes, his hard mouth, his rumpled dark hair,
and she wanted so badly to kiss him more than she wanted anything in her life.
He saw the longing in her eyes but he hesitated. Kissing Hermione like this wasn't going to be a casual
Thing. If he took this step… if he took her trust and her heart in his hands he knew instinctively that
It would mean something. Exactly what, he didn't know. But it would be a commitment of sorts.
Commitment was something he'd avoided for many years now. Which was why a loveless marriage was
Ideal. Why would he want to give in to it now? No it wasn't worth it. Hermione was very appealing, but she
Was like a human trap, lying in wait for him to take one step too far and then the string would snap and
The rope would yank and he'd be hung out to dry, twisting slowly in the wind. He was too wary and aware.
He wasn't going to let that happen to him. "Better get some sleep" he said gruffly, turning away and
Starting into the room. "Ill see you in the morning". She didn't answer. She followed him and just before
He reached the door, he felt her touch his arm.
"Harry?" she said softly. He turned back, though he knew before he started to move that it was a mistake.
"Harry?" she said again. It was something in her voice that got him. For one second, then two,
he was afraid. It shivered through him, a brief regret, a sigh, a sense of saying farewell to a part of him
that was leaving now. Because once he looked back into her eyes he was lost and he knew it. But he did
it anyway. And the fear evaporated like summer rain on concrete and he abandoned himself to the inevitable.
It was bound to happened. It had been in the cards from the moment they married. He had to experience her,
to touch her, hold her, kiss her. And once he did that, he would know the trap was sprung. "Mione"
he murmured, one last lingering hope of saving himself that disappeared before it was even fully
formed as she reached up to touch his face with her hand.
It was such a relief to give in. She curled into his embrace as though she'd been born to please him,
surrendering her warm, sweet mouth to his exploration. He took her, held her, drank from her as
though he was dying of thirst. She felt so good. Every rounded part of her fit so well against every
angular part of him and he pulled her closer, wanting to feel her everywhere. Each sigh, each moan,
aroused him more, until he was sure he would die from the pure building desire.
Her responsiveness was the most provocative thing he'd ever had under his control and the sensation
nearly drove him mad. The bed was right there and they both knew it. It was a destination, a place
where their need for each other could be played out in full. H was fully aware of it and Hermione
was only vaguely aware. Still she knew what she was doing, tempting fate, and tempting danger.
But she decided she didn't care anymore, you've been here before, something inside was warning.
Don't you remember Draco? Don't you remember the agony when you when you realized he didn't
love you? Don't you remember the shame? She did remember, but the memory of those things
was being blotted out by the heat Harry conjured up in her, the feel of his hands on her skin,
The feel of his body against hers, the smell and the taste of him. "I'm in love with Harry Potter"
"What?" "Yes. In love with Harry. Forever and for all time. The shock of that discovery jolted
her and she pulled away, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand and looking at him with a sort of horror.
"What" he asked her between labored breaths, still reaching to bring her back into his embrace. He was clearly
oblivious to anything but the urgent need for her. She stared at him in wonder. Another moment and they
would have gone over the edge and into a whole new level of relationship. She wasn't ready for that.
She couldn't risk it. Not yet.
"I think you better go now," she said, backing away. Catching himself, he took a deep breath. His blood
slowed and his brain reengaged. "Hermione, I'm sorry," he said quickly "I promised you this wouldn't
happen." She shook her head. "No, no, it's my fault. But I just didn't realize…" "What?"
"How important it would be," she said slowly, willing him to understand. He frowned, puzzled, but
slowly his face cleared. He got it. He'd been thinking something very close to what she was saying,
hadn't he? That was when he realized she was as scared of this as he was.
Looking at her, he gave her his most crooked smile. "Hermione", he said touching her hair with his hand,
Letting his affection for her show in his green eyes. "Hermione, you're very special to me."
She nodded. "You too," she whispered. Taking his hand, she pressed a kiss into the palm, closing her eyes.
"I'd better go," he said reluctant but determined to do the right thing."Sleep tight".
"If I can sleep at all" she said. Harry grinned, because he knew it was going to be a problem for him too.
"Night". He dropped a kiss on her lips, and then turned to leave. "Night" she echoed, watching him walk to
his room and then the door closed. Sighing, she fell on the bed. She was in love with Harry. It was all
over but the screaming. Softly, she laughed at herself, at him, at the world. Oh, what was she going to do?
There it is folks chapter 3, chapter 4 will be out soon and please review good or bad thanks….