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Chapter 12- Look what you doneGinny held back her laughter, as Draco paled at the glass in his hand. "Draco I cant believe you've never had chocolate milk before"
"Yeah well, my mother was never one for mutated milk products" he smiled.
"It's really good Mr.Malfoy" Ashlynn said, her grin raising her chocolate mustache.
Draco winced slightly; he wasn't really thrilled about having to drink it. But he couldn't wimp out in front of the girls. He was a malfoy; he could handle a glass of chocolate milk right?
"Well" she smirked "Were waiting". Draco laughed nervously. Glancing at Ashlynn he raised the glass.
"Here's to nothing" he smiled then quickly chugged the drink.
"Hey this stuff isn't half bad" he exclaimed.
"I told you it was good" Ashlynn rolled her eyes as if she found it hard to believe he didn't believe her.
Ginny laughed hard as father and daughter laughed. Both wearing identical milk mustaches.
"So the great Draco Malfoy likes mutated milk products" she snickered.
"Mmmmm, my favorite." laughing sarcastically as he wiped his face. "So shall we head to the toy store?" He winked at Ginny.
"The toy store!" Ashlynn squealed. "Thank you Mr.Malfoy" Ashlynn wrapped her chubby arms around his leg and Draco grinned.
So this is what it felt like when your child hugged you. It was a good felling he decided patting her on her head.
Ginny watched the lovely moment between father and daughter and knew she was doing the right thing. No matter what happened she would never regret her decision to bring these two together.
"Let's go" Ashlynn cried tugging on Draco's hand. "Let's go," he repeated to Ginny laughing. The three walked to the toy store hand in hand. To anyone they looked like the perfect family.
The toy store was packed with children and parents. Slipping through the crowds they finally made it to the doll section. Ashlynn loved dolls. She had dolls of all sorts at home and her collection was getting endless.
She sighed as she neared a display of the prettiest doll she ever seen. She wanted one of those dolls so badly. "What's the matter love?" Ginny asked her.
"My daddy won't buy this dolly for me" she said softly. Her eyes never left the doll as she smoothed down the soft curls.
"Do you want the doll?" Draco asked before Ginny could say a word. She nodded slowly before placing the doll back on the shelf.
"Take her. I'll purchase the doll for you" he said taking the doll back down and handing it to her. Ashlynn stared wide-eyed however she didn't reach for the doll.
"Draco" Ginny warned, "I really don't think you should buy…" "Ginny, if she wants the doll I'm going to buy it for her" he cut her off by placing the doll in his daughter's arms.
Ginny knew better than to argue the matter further. He had that look in his eye. The one that screamed if I want it I'll get it. She knew he wouldn't leave without that doll.
Sighing she smiled as Ashlynn cradled the doll. She would just have to tell Harry and Hermione she bought the doll for her.
"She is so pretty. Just like mummy" Ashlynn said grinning as she paraded the doll to Ginny.
"She sure is" Ginny said as she bounced a little. "Something wrong?" Draco said sounding quite amused at her sudden jumpiness.
"I have to use the loo" she whispered obviously embarrassed.
"Well then go wretched woman!" he spat humorously. Narrowing her eyes she laughed. "I am," she said.
"Watch Ashlynn I'll be back in two flaps of a owl's wing" she called.
He smiled at her as she crossed the aisle. The soft gray shirt he wore fit his muscular form so well, and she stared even though she passed around the corner, taking a moment to quell her wildly thumping heart. Her feelings for Draco were so strong it amazed her.
She made a move to turn away, but stopped short when she saw him poke his head around the corner.
"Hey" he called softly
She remained silent, only raising her brows in question. "Can you stay at the manor after Ashlynn is returned home?"
The sultry promise twinkled in his light gaze, making Ginny flush with pleasure. Helpless against the slow smile that tugged at her mouth, she simply nodded.
He winked and he was gone.
Inhaling deeply, she tried to calm her jittery nerves. She hurried to the bathroom, barley able to stifle the urge to skip. She couldn't wait until later.
Draco returned to his daughter's side finally aware they were alone. He glanced not sure what to say or how to act. He wasn't sure how to be a father. And that sudden thought reminded him how unfair life was.
He felt foolish having to sneak around to see his own child. Hermione gave him no choice. She knew him enough to know he wasn't beyond extreme measures to see things through.
Harry sighed as he walked along side the shops of Hogsmeade. He just left from having dinner with the boys after their meeting. He was glad the meeting went in his favor. They had finally passed his new law. They had the right to check properties they deemed suspicious without hassle.
Today he had a breakthrough. He was supposed to be happy right? Then why did he feel like shit? He knew why, He missed Hermione and Ashlynn.
Due to the demands from work he hadn't really seen much of them the past week. And they had been so understanding and supportive but standing in doorways watching the loves of his life sleeping wasn't what he wanted.
The flashing sign caught his eye as he turned the corner. The toy store. That was it. Sure he wasn't about bribing people but he owed them for their patience. And he knew just what his daughter wanted.
The new doll she spotted last Monday. Smiling Harry crossed the dusty path that led to the store. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face when he came home tonight.
"Look Lavender" Hermione said excitingly. "Blue turtles!"
Lavender looked closed to tears they had finally found a blue turtle. Now her son's room was complete.
Just as Hermione reached out for the blue turtle, she heard a commotion coming from a few aisles down. She stopped in midmotion frowning. Then she heard a child begin to wail, and she went stiff, turning to the end of the aisle.
"That sounds like Ashlynn" Hermione called over her shoulder.
Instinctively, she knew it was Ashlynn she heard crying and Hermione ran across the different aisles. She nearly careened into Harry on his way out the door, tugging his reluctant, sobbing daughter behind him.
"You are to stay away from my daughter!"
The anger in Harry's voice frightened Hermione. The fury on his face scared her even more.
"What's"
But she couldn't get her question out as the turbulent scene unfolded before her. Ginny looking scared as a bunny rabbit, was pleading with Harry not to do a thing- whatever it was he was about to do. And Harry's voice became louder with every word he threw.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Didn't I warn you?" Harry spat dangerously close to drawing his wand.
Through the hazy confusion Hermione noticed the other children looking interested by the angry situation as the parents who were there looked quite uncomfortable as the pulled the children away.
This was a store for crying out loud, she had to figure out why Harry barged in a Ginny and was now making quite a scene. She had to calm him down and find out the meaning for all of this.
"Harry" she reached out and placed a calming hand on his arm.
He jerked away from her as though her touch were a hot white flame. His face contorted with anger he directed at her. "What were you thinking to do this?" he shouted.
"We agreed damn you. We agreed" he continued to shout. The blind rage emanating from him literally took her breath away. She moved back a step as she tried to figure out what was going on and why Harry was so angry.
"I'm taking my daughter out of here" he stated his voice now flat and quivering with barely suppressed emotion. "And believe me when I say this. You're dead"
"If you take one step with MY daughter" a voice warned.
Her face drained of all color and her knees grew weak. Looking behind Ginny there stood Draco Malfoy
"What in the hell?" she spat like venom. "Harry he needs to. Harry wait," she called but he had already reached the corner and disappeared.
Then she heard Ashlynn's mewing little voice wail out "Mummy!" before the door whooshed closed behind them.
Hermione turned her attention to the man before her. "Will you please explain why you were with my daughter?" she hissed.
Draco growled, "Because she is my daughter Hermione. I won't be kept from her. Ginny can see that, why cant you?"
Hermione literally felt her face go ashen and she looked at Ginny. A deep frown planted itself in her brow and she searched the young woman's eyes.
Could what she was thinking be true? She wondered. Did Ginny really help him?
She knew it. All this time Ginny had been taking her daughter to meet him. That was the big secret Ashlynn was keeping. She remembered asking her daughter about a visit with Ginny only to be told it was a secret.
"You were my friend. If you knew all this time then you knew what it would do to Harry." Hermione said darkly.
Ginny felt bad. She was right maybe she was wrong for what she did. But wasn't what Hermione doing to Draco just as wrong.
"What about Draco?" Ginny asked, "Do you even care what this is doing to him?"
"Draco! Forget Draco, what about my daughter and husband" Hermione threw out in anger.
He snickered as she finished her comment. "Oh that's rich Hermione, That's my child who was just jerked away from me and you're worried about Potter"
Hermione scoffed and Ginny's heart went out to her friend. She truly made a mess of everything now.
"I'm sorry," Ginny said, directing her gaze once more on Hermione. "Please don't be mad before I have a chance to explain. I can, you know… if you'll only give me a chance"
Hermione looked at the young woman standing before her. The young woman she befriended- the young woman she would have sacrificed so much for and her heart ached with such pain she thought that she would surely cry out in agony.
"You betrayed me" she whispered, for her voice could do no more than that. "You found out my secret and instead of coming to me, you turned to him. You put my daughter in the hands of a death eater" she hissed
"Damn it the hell Granger you know I'm no death eater" Draco said anger. The statement cut him deep; this was coming from the mouth of the woman he loved. He hated everything about his father's way of life. And she knew that. When they were together he relayed his utmost deepest secrets to her and now she dared used them against him with his own flesh and blood.
Ginny's shoulders sagged "You really don't believe I'd do anything to hurt Ashlynn, do you?" She swallowed. "Mione, I love that little girl"
"Hermione" Ginny said when she didn't answer, "you do believe that I'd never harm Ashlynn"
Ginny had made it a statement, but Hermione could tell from her tone that she wanted an answer… or at least a response.
"To tell you the truth," Hermione admitted, "I'm not so sure about that Gin"
"I bet you two have been in cahoots all along," she cried.
"It's true," Draco finally said "She offered to help me with Ashlynn"
"So there were other visits" it wasn't a question. A burst of anger rose up inside Hermione, sharp and piercing "How could you frighten that little girl the way you did? That's your daughter!"
"You're right she is my daughter," he said "And I never frightened her in any way." He added.
His eyes were pleading, "I wanted to see Ashlynn. Hermione, I didn't get the chance to hold her as a baby or be there for her when she began her precious life. My need to be with her- even if it was only a moment became so urgent."
He sighed painfully trying to shut out the pain those thoughts brought him "Ashlynn was all I thought about. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat."
Running his hands through his slicked back blonde hair he frowned "It got to the point that I was ready to tear in and rip you and Ashlynn away from Potter. Just like he did to me."
"Then a miracle happened and I began seeing her. It somehow made me feel closer to my daughter"
"And how did Ginny fit into all of this?" Hermione asked him.
Hermione saw from Draco's countenance that there was a lot to be said about that. She simply waited. "Ginny came to the manor asking about Harry, and I let her know about Ashlynn. Imagine my surprise when I realized she didn't know."
"Apparently you neglected in telling your friends about us. And I talked about taking Ashlynn" he confessed.
Disappointment escaped from Hermione in a hiss.
"But I decided against it after Ginny came back to the manor with her shortly after. Ginny was only trying to help me." He said gruffly.
"She only did what she did because she knew how badly I wanted my daughter" He gave a small smile toward Ginny before turning his focus back to Hermione.
Hermione watched as Ginny squeezed and kneaded the palm of her hand with the other. "Hermione, you've got to believe me when I say that I never wanted to hurt you or Harry. I never wanted her taken from him, from the nice home he provided her, the wonderful life he gives…"
"Then why do it Ginny?" Hermione couldn't hold back the question.
"I thought it was the right thing to do," she said weakly.
"The right thing to do!" She allowed every bit of anger she was feeling to come out in her voice, "You have no idea what is right or wrong for my daughter. You didn't even bother to come and talk to us before you rushed her to Draco." She spat angrily.
"Come off it Hermione," Draco cut her off. "You know how he feels about me."
"Yeah I do and he had every reason. Tonight only proves what he knew you to always be," she told him.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he spat "I know that Ginny and I were wrong to sneak visit's behind your back but…"
"You were going to take her!" Hermione's tone held so much incredulity that it raised even higher. "I'd"
"But I didn't!" Draco interjected with feeling. "I wasn't trying to take her. I only wanted to talk to her. To meet her. I wouldn't have taken her from you. I told you that"
Hermione growled, "Yeah after you told me I was to marry you. And don't forget the threats about making sure we would become a family."
"I want us to be a family still. I love you and that little girl. I never wanted you to feel threaten to marry me," he told her shocked she would see anything but love in his actions.
"You expect me to believe that?" she laughed, "You only wanted what Harry had and after that failed, you resort to this. You manipulated your way into Ashlynn's life. And you manipulated me"
That was what bothered Hermione the most. The fact that once again Draco managed to destroy her life and love.
Lavender leaned back against a shelf to keep herself from falling. Quickly jumping up after Hermione she reached the open aisle just as Harry darted out the store with Ashlynn and managed her hear the whole conversation.
She still hadn't got over the shock. Hermione was with Draco and he was Ashlynn's father, not Harry. She didn't know what to say. Screw that she knew exactly what to say only she didn't know where to begin.
"Harry was right all along," Hermione said quietly "You really are a evil man and you," she said looking at Ginny "Are no longer trusted and no longer a friend."
"Oh, no Hermione" Ginny cried, "Please don't say that. You don't mean it"
Hermione was completely overtaken by the magnitude of her anger. "You bitch" she screamed slapping Ginny across the face. She lunged for her again only to be pulled back by Lavender.
"Mione, don't" she said sternly as she wiggled to get loose. "She's not worth it you know that" she said softly watching Ginny rub her redden cheek.
"All I know is" Hermione said her eyes darkening with anger as she looked upon Ginny with disgust "Right now I would love to scratch your eyes out but then how would you look at yourself in the morning?"
Lavender didn't even give them a look as she turned Hermione toward the door. They both walked out leaving Ginny crying and Draco staring at the door.
"Draco" Ginny said a few moments later "I'm so sorry…" Sighing he turned away "Don't Weasley, not right now" he huffed running his hands through his hair.
"Draco, we will think of something" she began before he laughed harshly.
"There's nothing to think about Weasley. I messed up. Don't you get it?" he barked in anger.
"I said I was going to be patient and I wasn't. I was selfish and jealous. And what did it get me?" he cried in outrage punching a display of the beautiful doll he was going to buy his daughter.
Draco frowned as he leaned down to pick one up. Ashlynn was right. The doll was pretty just like Hermione. He gulped and blinked a few times trying to hold back the tears.
"Well, what did it get me?" he shouted again. "She's gone Ginny. Gone and this time I don't see her coming back"
With his shoulders sagging in defeat he slowly headed to the door mumbling under his breath. Ginny could do nothing but watch him go.
"Draco what are you going to do?" she called after him.
"I don't know," he said throwing his hands up. "I just sent the woman I love. The mother of my child, straight into the arms of my enemy again! So I guess now I need to figure out how I'm going to live with that.
"I understand, I'll be waiting for you at the manor, when you get there" she told him. He didn't hear her or if he did he choose not to respond. He just walked out leaving her alone.
Ginny heart broke as he left the store. She stood there in the middle of the aisle, trying to come to terms with what just happened. She just lost her friend and the man she loved.
She fought to wipe her eyes as the tears began to resurface. Yes, she was in love with him. When it happened she wasn't sure. But she was certain he would never love her in return. She witnessed that tonight when he pleaded with Hermione.
He stilled longed for her and what they shared those years ago. Ginny could never compete with that. She didn't stand a chance even with sex.
She may have had his body but she would never have his heart. She walked out of the store and onto the dusty street of Hogsmeade feeling like the fool she was.
"So we agreed to marry each other and claim the baby as Harry's" Hermione sniffed as she got into Lavender's car explaining the whole ugly details behind the problem.
"Gosh, this is unbelievable Mione, what on earth are you going to do?" she whispered slipping behind the wheel.
The car doors closed, boxing Hermione into the tight lonely space with overwhelming thoughts running through her mind.
How could this have happened? How could she have let Ashlynn go off with Ginny without realizing she was keeping company with Draco? But then again, how could she have known? Draco had never really talked highly of Ginny or any Weasley for that matter.
Hermione thought of Harry's angry face as he shouted at her. What were you thinking to do this? He threw the question at her.
Dear God! Harry believed that she knew Ashlynn was with Draco. What thoughts must be running through his mind? He must be thinking that she schemed and plotted with Draco. He must be feeling so betrayed.
Compassion for him rose up in her heart, fierce and strong. She felt guilty that her actions- no matter that she was ignorant to Draco and Ginny's doings- had caused Harry one moment of pain.
But the guilt quickly became tinged around the edges with irritation. Why would he think she'd do such a thing to him? Why hadn't he stopped long enough to realize she would never hurt him in any way?
Why hadn't he asked her to explain instead of assuming he knew all the answers? Her irritation flared into full-fledged anger and insult.
"No" she spoke the word aloud causing Lavender to glance "What is it?" she asked frowning as she turned back to the road.
"Harry thinks I knew Draco was with Ashlynn, that's why he was so upset. I have to get home so I can explain," she said
She couldn't let her emotions get the best of her not when she refused to allow herself to make harsh judgments or any judgments for that matter, until she talked to Harry.
Lavender eased the car into the parking lot of Hermione and Harry's flat. "You want me to come up with you?" she asked Hermione unhooking her seatbelt.
"No, I think we should be alone for this one" she smiled weakly. "Thank you for your support Lav. And thank you for not judging me"
Lavender smiled "Hey you're my friend. I'm not here to judge you. Only to help you"
Hermione squeezed her hand "Thank you girl. For everything, But please don't say anything to Seamus yet" she pleaded.
"I know he is your husband and you don't keep secrets but I think it would be better to wait and.,"
"Say no more" Lavender waved her hand "I won't say a word" she assured her.
The glowing numbers above the door slowly changed, then the elevator came to a halt. Hermione hurried down the hallway toward her flat.
Grasping the doorknob firmly, Hermione opened the door and pushed her way inside.
Harry stood across the room, looking out the bay window. He turned to glare at her. She had betrayed him. He knew falling in love with her was a big mistake. He hoped she would eventually find it in her heart to love him back one day. But he had to face the facts.
As much as he wanted to believe she was over Draco she wasn't. She was reduced to sneaking behind his back and giving Draco access to their daughter. Yes their daughter Hermione's and Draco's not his.
God help him he wanted to crush something. Anything to dull the ache he felt in his heart.
"I don't want to talk to you right now" he finally said, his tone flat and emotionless. Then he turned back toward the window.
"I figured that much". She snapped the words at him and flung the door closed behind her. She'd promised herself not to let her emotions rule her, but his anger was like a slap in the face.
"Where's Ashlynn?" she asked.
"Asleep. In her room" His broad back looked like a wall between them as he continued to stare out the window.
"Damn it Harry. You're going to talk to me. And you're going to talk to me now. You can't believe that I knew Draco was with Ashlynn"
She fought the anger that rose inside her at his silence. "How was I to know? I left her with Ginny so I could shop with Lavender"
"I don't want to hear it," his voice sounded vapid, but Hermione clearly heard the deep emotion steeping just below the surface.
She broke down and pleaded, "Talk to me Harry. Please"
His sigh was almost weary as he rubbed his hand across his forehead. His finger gently brushing the scar he carried all his life. When he looked at her, his gaze held something in it that Hermione had never seen.
Then every muscle in his body tensed and there was raw pain in his eyes.
"Do you remember when you came to me that night and I agreed to help you?" he asked.
The memory alone was obviously agony for him. He chewed his bottom lip in an effort to control his emotions; his eyes glistening with unshed tears
"The first month was the worse month of my life"
The starkness in his words made her believe him and Hermione's heart wrenched.
"I felt so betrayed that you allowed yourself to be taking in by Draco. After all he did to us. To the world. But what hurt the most was your keeping it from me." He sighed turning to face her.
"All I knew for certain was that I didn't want you or that baby living in ridicule and alone" His gaze took on a sadder look.
"I apologize, if I was out of line Mione, but I grew to see her as my baby. My flesh and blood. My child that you carried. For no reason at all, other than love."
Fire lit in his eyes. "That little girl means nothing to him. Nothing! Ashlynn is just a pawn in some ugly game he is playing. Do you see that?"
The anger in his voice was laced with something else, and the same instant she mentally identified it, Hermione found herself saying it "You're worried"
"You're damn right I'm worried." His eyes were intense. "I'm a grown man. And I allowed myself to get too comfortable in my life. A mistake on my part, I didn't think I had to battle old demons" he sighed. "And now he's back and I have to accept whatever happens"
"But we'll deal with this Harry" She felt impelled to assure him.
"You're damn right about that," his voice boomed again and he slapped his hand on the table making her jump. "You're going to leave Hermione! I can't have you here knowing what I know. Ashlynn can stay here until you make other arrangements, but she is your daughter, so do as you see fit."
Hermione gasped. She couldn't believe what he said. Didn't want to believe what he said.
"Harry I don't understand. What are you saying?" she demanded.
"It's simple Hermione. You're going to leave her. And you're going to do it tonight." He said walking from the window and up the stairs.
Hermione sat frozen as she heard his bedroom door open and close. Harry had just told her to leave. The tears flowed down her face, as she remained rooted in the chair. To broken and to hurt to do anything She sat there and sobbed.
Once he hit the room Harry mustered enough strength to close the door before he slid to the floor. Telling her to leave was the hardest thing he ever did. He would rather fight Voldemort a hundred times over then go through what he just did.
He felt his chest ache and he wanted nothing more then to rip his heart out so the pain would subside. He felt nothing would ever make this pain go away.
He loved her so much. God he loved her. But she was still in love with Malfoy. He wanted nothing more than to kill the bastard and then keep her all to himself. But he wanted her happy and as much as this killed him.
He wasn't the one she wanted. He loved her enough to set her free.
Harry felt helpless sitting in front of the bedroom door. He cradled his head in his hands and cried.
Okay people now I know some of you are really pissed off at me right now. But I beg you be patient and believe in the story. I ask you to not give up on reading it. This is not the last chapter and you never know how things end up if you don't stick it out.
Feel free to flame me if you need too. I will fully understand and will take whatever you give me just as long as you're here to review the next chapter. Which should be out by tomorrow.
Now please review good or bad and let me know how you like it so far. Till then thank you to all my loyal reviewers and god bless…
Bra4goten