Once again thanks to everyone who reviews. You guys are awesome and never forget it. I promise you all there will be a very happy ending when this is all said and done.

Chapter 16 – Should I stay or should I go

Harry found it really hard to remain calm as he headed to Malfoy Manor. What the hell was he thinking to let her go like that? Sure he was scared of love, wanted no part of it.

But despite his feelings he fell for her and he fell hard. So Draco came back and managed to disrupt his comfortable life. He only succeeded in that fact because Harry allowed him too.

Now he could very well let her go and do his best to move on without her or he could stand tall and fight for the woman he loved. Fighting for the ones you loved was a great thing but it carried with it the inevitable cost of possible failure.

But he'd be damned if he sat by and let Draco live his life. Harry was fully prepared to do whatever it took to get her back. No matter what the cost. Having her love didn't seem so important to him anymore as having her home.

"Maybe she was kidnapped" Ron said hopefully. He didn't want to face the possibility that she very well may have left on her own free will.

Harry gave him what sounded almost like a snort. "That's a nice theory. But the fact is, we don't know exactly what has happened"

Ron glanced at him sideways. He couldn't help admiring the flash of determination in his friends eyes, the way he loved Hermione gave Ron a new sense of respect for the man he held in high regard.

"Here it is. Nobody seems to be home," Ron said. Once they reached the manor Harry didn't bother to hide his disgust. The only thing he wanted from that place was his wife and daughter.

Harry looked up grimacing as he looked at the darkened house. "I'm going to check anyway. She may be just sleeping," he told Ron.

"You can't just go barging in there and demanding to see her" Ron flinched as though the thought crazy.

"And why not?" Harry bit out. "She's my wife, I can talk to her regardless on where she stays"

Ron sighed as he looked at his best friend; He understood what his friend was going through. Hell he didn't want her here anymore than Harry did but he knew Hermione and if she felt she was being pushed or control she would rebel in a heartbeat.

"Harry" he said turning to him "If you go charging in there she would just wind up getting angry and refuse to even speak to you. Is that what you want?"

Ron didn't wait for his answer continuing to make him see reason. "Let's just knock and hope she's here," he said.

Yeah then what? He didn't know if he would even get a chance to see her. But on the other hand, she would get upset if he went in on an angry stupor.

He knew Ron's way was a better course. If he tried to go in and force her into doing things the way he thought they should be done, he was going to put her back up permanently.

He almost grinned, thinking of how fierce her pretty face would get, how her perfect little chin would jut out as she defied him. She completed him in her own way. Funny how hard she tried to resist that.

Still, the more he thought about it, the more he knew this was not where he wanted her staying. He wanted her home with him and their daughter.

No matter what faced him behind those heavy wooden doors he knew he wasn't leaving without them.

"Fine we'll knock but if nobody answers I'm going in" Harry said leaving no room for argument.

"Like hell you will. The only thing you're going to do is remove yourself from my property before I kill you" Growled a voice behind them.

Turning with contempt in his eyes Harry faced Draco Malfoy. "I'm not going anywhere till I have my wife and daughter," he hissed.

Curling his lip in a nasty smirk Draco stepped up on the porch "In case you forgot, you don't have a daughter. And as far as Hermione goes you threw her out" he said.

"Which you saw as an opportunity to slink your way closer to her," Ron barked out slamming his fist into the deep pockets of his robes to keep from using his wand.

"Once again Weasley you seem to open your mouth and grace me with your stupidly" Draco snorted both eyes resting on Ron and Harry.

Harry glanced over at Ron, his face all red from anger. He could tell Ron was ready to pounce and by all means he wasn't going to stop him.

Draco continued to look at them as he spoke "I saw a friend who needed help and I stepped up to do just that. I mean her husband obviously wasn't up to the job". He smirked in triumph as he witnessed the impact his words inflicted on Harry.

Now it was Harry who looked ready to pounce. Draco watched him with great intense, remembering to watch his wand hand.

Draco grimaced as he recalled his words. Who was he trying to kid? Hermione wasn't here because he felt the need to help a friend. Her and that little girl was taking on a larger than life proportion in his life- and it was no secret to him why that was.

It had only been a few weeks since he learned he had a child. Out there in the world had been a daughter he didn't know about. That had been a completely mind blowing concept and he still wasn't used to it.

He loved Hermione and it made him sick to think Hermione had his child and never told him. But from what he learned so far she went to Potter for help and they had been married when she was ready to deliver.

It was hard thinking that while he was casually going on with his life, mourning her and spying on Voldemort, hell even dating a few times, Harry was taking on all the responsibility he should have been sharing with her.

And that she had made the solo decision to raise her daughter his daughter with someone else.

He should have been there.

Maybe he thought helping her now would make amends to a certain degree. He knew he would never repair the damage he caused a few years back but he wanted to spend the rest of his life trying.

Could that be part of his interest in Hermione and what was to become of her? Sure, he knew it wasn't easy but he loved Hermione. Absolutely it was a no-brainer. And if he had to kill Harry to keep her he would.

"Hermione is here because she wants to be" Draco said, "Unless you want to make a fool of yourselves I suggest you leave now"

Ron snorted, "I'll believe that when I hear her say it herself," he said hissing with rage.

"I have to agree with Ron, She very well could be held against her will" Harry said refusing to believe she wanted to be here and being selfish enough not to really care if she did or not.

Draco raised his brow "Oh you don't have to worry about them. I assure you both will be very well taking care of. My daughter shall want for nothing and as far as Hermione goes…"

Draco grinned, "I'm sure I can accommodate her needs as well," he said sweetly leaving an image in Harry's mind that sent his blood pressure skyrocketing.

"You will never touch her," Harry hissed dangerously. "You value your life far to much to die Malfoy," he warned.

"Do I now?" Draco tested "And what if I already have hmm?" He hadn't but the idea of fucking with Harry was too strong. And it seemed to work cause Harry reached for his wand causing Draco to open his eyes in surprise.

"You bastard" Harry said pulling his wand out and quickly advanced on Draco, he could very well end up in Azkaban for killing him, but Harry didn't care. His mind was still stuck on the image of Draco making love to his Hermione.

Ducking Draco managed to reach the door narrowly missing the spell Harry flung at him. Reaching for his wand he shouted a spell and Harry flew back into Ron.

"I wont let you take her from me again Potter" he said with his wand pointed at the two.

"SHE'S NOT YOURS TO KEEP" Harry bellowed. He launched himself across the porch with quickness as Ron tried to grab on to Malfoy.

Draco tried to free himself from Ron's hold as Harry located his wand "Get out the way Ron" Harry cried clearly wanting to curse Draco but afraid of hitting Ron in the crossfire.

Seeing Ron wasn't going to let him go, he had to go for it. Pointing his wand widely at the struggling pair he yelled, "Expelliarmus!"

Both of their wands flew out of their hands and flew toward the front door of the house. Both Ron and Draco stopped and moved to grab their wands.

Seeing his opportunity Harry seized the moment and charged at Draco sending them both crashing into the door and landing in the front hallway of Malfoy manor.

"She isn't happy" Draco struggled to say as he tried to sit up. Harry growled noticing his wand was lying by the doorway. But he didn't need his wand to deal with Draco.

Shrugging slightly he decided he would just do it the muggle way and delivered a right hook straight to Draco's nose. "You have no idea how she feels," he said as Draco held his nose.

Despite the pain his face was in Draco managed to smirk "I know she feels contempt for you" he said. Not sure if he wanted to say it to get a rise or to convince himself of the lie.

That was it Harry had enough of the prat and he surely wasn't going to take anymore. Before he could do anything Draco landed a punch to his temple catching him off guard.

Harry lunged at him and the two went to fighting, each of them stating their claim to the woman that held both their hearts.

Ron watched as the two fought. He wanted to jump right in and pound Malfoy to a pulp but this was Harry's fight and he needed to let him fight it.

But he didn't dare take his eyes of the struggling twosome. If Harry looked like he wasn't going to favor out then all bets were off and he would jump in.

Hermione's eyes flew open. She stared into the dark, wondering what had jolted her awake. Had it been the noise she could her from below.

There was a thump and someone screaming, quickly she glanced over at her daughter. Still fast asleep. She breathed in relief and scooted closer to the middle of the bed.

Something hit the wall hard and she jerked in response. This was crazy and more than that it was scary. She had no idea what went on in this house or what things Draco did to occupy his time.

But she was right when she said earlier she had to find another place to live. The yelling continued and Hermione winced as Ashlynn stirred. She didn't want her daughter waking up and witnessing something awful.

Suddenly there was a new voice and she raised her head to get a better listen. The yelling was almost hysterical and the thumps sounded more like a real fight. And then there was nothing. Silence.

"Bloody hell, Harry I think you killed him" Ron gasped. Harry waved his hand "He's… just…knocked…out" he panted flexing his fingers to numb the pain.

Ron looked down at Draco "Remind me not to piss you off mate" he whistled. As Harry glanced over to see his enemy lying there unmoving.

"I need to find Hermione," he said climbing the stairs. Nodding his head Ron stepped over Draco and followed Harry up the staircase but not before giving him a swift kick to the leg.

Hermione sat still on the bed frowning; she didn't know what happened out there but whatever it was it ended rather quickly leaving her feeling uneasy.

Just then someone banged on her door. She jumped a foot into the air and cried out softly. Her heart was thumping so hard it felt like it would explode. Closing her eyes for a second, she tried to even her breathing.

Slipping from the bed she walked softly to the door, just listening, trying to figure out who or what waited on the other side of the door.

Was it the thing that caused the yelling or was it Draco coming to see her? She didn't know but she was not about to find out.

"Hermione? Are you in there? Are you okay? Answer me please"

It took a minute for her to realize it was Harry and once she did, joy burst inside her.

"Harry?" she tugged on the many locks she conjured, sliding them back and opening the door. "It's really you" she said closed to tears. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

He looked very good standing there- all tall and dark and strong. Just what she needed right now. Relief swept through her and she threw herself into his arms.

It only lasted a second and she jumped back away from him so quickly, he might have thought he'd imagined the whole thing. But for those few seconds his arms had felt so good against her body.

"When did you get here?" she asked, backing into the bedroom. A weird place in her sleepy mind seemed to think he might have appeared in a puff of smoke. But the strong, protective arms around her had been so real and she knew he was here.

"I came to get you," he responded calmly. "Get your things and I'll grab Ashlynn," he said.

She stared at him blankly "You came to get me? It's almost midnight" she added not sure what heck was going on.

"And it will only get later the longer you procrastinate" he told her softly. He wanted to get out of her before Draco came to and they had to fight again.

"Oh" she said looking at him but he wasn't waiting any longer and suddenly he entered the bedroom. "Come on. I'm getting you out of here"

She shook her head "Where would I go?" she asked knowing he didn't want her at the flat. "Where would I live, I …" he grabbed her arm and she looked up at him in surprise.

"I'm so sorry Mione," he whispered releasing her arm to caress her cheek. "I refused to listen to you when you tried to tell me about Ginny. And I kicked you out without a second thought. I may be too late and I understand if it is but you need to be at home."

Ron listened from around the doorway wanting to give them space to talk. Closing his eyes he hoped it wasn't too late.

"Look I know you may hate me but bottom line, I'm not going to let you sleep here another night."

So that was why he was here. He wasn't coming to declare his love and whisk her away to live happily ever after. He just didn't want her near Draco. The very notion killed her soul and brought tears to her eyes.

"But…" she started to say but he cut her off. "Hermione I'm not leaving this house till you agree to come with me," he groaned. "Hermione, I mean it. You're coming with me. You have no other options"

Ron rolled his eyes at his friends comment. Didn't he realize how demanding he was sounding?

She sighed "Why Harry? Why do you want me to come home now? When just the other day you threw me out," she asked him.

"I acted foolishly the other day and I can never take back the hurt I caused you but I want to try. Mione, you're my wife and my best friend. Can't you see I care deeply for you?" he said softly.

That I love you he wanted to say. But as he studied her he wondered if it was the right time to tell her. Finding it wasn't he let the words slip back down to his throat. And sighed instead.

"You don't want to return home with me?" he asked her a little scared of her answer. His eyes were huge as though it was going to hurt him if she turned him down.

She stared then threw her hands out. "Harry, don't do this to me."

"Don't do what?" he asked.

"Don't put me through this heartbreak. I can't spend the rest of my life wondering if you will ask me to leave everytime Draco acts foolishly." I can't keep hoping you will love me one day she thought to herself.

"I understand your fear, and I swear to you I will never turn my back on you again. Trust me, come home with me please!" he begged.

"So many night's I longed to have you come for me" she whispered.

"After all I did to you. Why was that?" he asked in surprise.

She hesitated. How was she going to explain without giving away her secret? "Ashlynn doesn't understand" was what she finally decided to say, hoping it was enough.

"Will you be able to walk away from Draco?" he asked then groaned when he realized what he did just ask.

"I can and I will," she told him. "I don't want him Harry so let's not start this up again"

"You're right, I'm sorry," he said turning away to look at his daughter sleeping. God he missed her so much these past few days. "But…"

"But what? You think I still want him?" she glared at him. "I thought you could see right down into my soul. I thought you knew me better than that.

She sighed, "Ah, but now you're wondering, can I really trust her?"

"Trust has nothing to do with it," he groaned out.

"So it mainly boils down to bitter hatred? She asked closed to becoming angry.

He groaned shaking his head. He knew he should just come out with it, tell her it was cause he loved her but telling now would have been sealing his fate. She didn't want love and as much as it pained him he had to remember that.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Hermione. When have some spare time, I'll tell you things that would blow your mind"

Hermione didn't know why but those words gave her hope. Hope for a wonderful future with him. And she wanted nothing more but to go home.

A life without Harry seemed more heartbreaking then living with him without love. She would just have to learn to hide her feelings and put all this dreaded mess behind them.

Smiling she rushed into his arms catching him by surprise "Take me home Harry." She cried into his arms as he gently rocked her. Thankful she had agreed to return to him.

He wasn't quite sure what made her agree but frankly he didn't care.

Ron gave a silent thanks above and sighed. Everything was finally was going to be back to normal. Well maybe not normal. After all the past two years had been something else then what he knew.

But he loved his best friends and just wanted them to be as happy as they once were.

"Come on let's go home" Harry said letting her go. He walked over to pick up Ashlynn as Hermione's heart soared she was going home with Harry.

"I hated the way he teased us when we were growing up" she said causing him to stare at him "And look at me now. I ended up being stupid." She said sighing.

Harry moved as though her words exasperated him. Standing beside her he forced her to face him. "You haven't ended up anything," he said evenly.

"You were young Hermione. You are a different person now."

There was a fire in his eyes that startled her. It seemed odd that he would care so much about that.

"How am I different? I'm managed to up heave my life. Making the same mistakes as before. Don't you see? It almost seems like I'm fated to relive history"

"No. You're not going to relive history." He sounded so sure of himself. "You've got someone to help you stay away from that."

She looked up at him wide eyed. "Who?"

"Me" he said smiling.

She knew he was going to say that, but she still wasn't sure. "But Harry, who am I to you, really? Why would you do all this?"

He stared down at her for a moment, either unable or unwilling to give her a credible explanation.

"I have my reasons," he said at last, and then he turned and started walking out the door. She stared after him, intent on insisting on a better answer to her question but was stopped when she turned the corner and ran into Ron.

"Oh, Ron" she cried throwing her arms around his neck. "You really came through for me, thank you," she whispered in his ear.

"You two coming or what?" Harry asked in a whisper careful not to wake Ashlynn. Hermione and Ron quickly followed him down the steps as a conscience Malfoy was trying to sit up.

Hermione was just standing there with Draco's eyes bearing down on her, looking incredibly hurt and his shirt was ripped open revealing a deep scratch on his chest.

Her hand flew to her mouth in shock. He looked so bad. Her eyes searched Harry's for an explanation. "He wasn't so keen on me seeing you," he said knowing what her look was for.

"That was a cheap trick, Potter. Resulting to a muggle duel." he spit. "Oh, Harry you didn't" Hermione said.

"Hey, lay off him Hermione ferret boy here attacked first." Ron said coming to his friend's defense.

"And I'm about to attack you again if you think you're leaving with them" he said looking at Harry.

Harry moved to hand Ashlynn over to Ron but Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Harry allow me. I just need to talk to him."

"Please" she said and he kept hold of his daughter not really liking the idea of her talking to him.

"Hi" he simply said trying to stand up. "Hi yourself" she said back. Her heart went out to Draco but he had to understand there was nothing left for them anymore.

She was going home with Harry and once he accepted that they could move on.

For just a moment, there didn't seem to be anything else to say. They stared at each other, both of aware of what could happen. Then Hermione cleared her throat and spoke.

"I've been thinking things over." She sighed; this wasn't going to be easy. "You know I do appreciate so much you giving me a place to stay and I really do thank you. But as far as living here in your house…"

She took a deep breath and tried again. "I just don't think I'd better stay."

Draco's gaze went hard as flint and almost as cold. "What are you talking about?"

"I can't be here" She looked at him as though her eyes might be able to convey her meaning if her words couldn't. "Don't you see? This isn't good for either one of us especially not Ashlynn. And I just can't accept that"

He was still looking darkly at her as he tried to absorb what she was saying. "You're wrong. We can be together, our daughter needs both of her parents."

"She has her parents Draco," she stated softly "Harry and I, that is all she knows and for her sake let it stay that way"

He groaned as he finally made it to his feet. "Hermione, please don't go. Don't walk out on me. I asked you leave before and you did. Now I ask you to stay please listen to me once more."

His plea touched her heart, she knew he loved her and regardless on the past. Draco was a very caring person. It broke her heart to cause him pain but he needed to understand.

She knew all to well what he was feeling. She had been on the receiving end the last time and she didn't wish that on anyone including Draco.

"Harry is my husband, my place is with him. I'm sorry Draco, so sorry but this is what has to be" She turned to walk away "In time you will understand" but he reached out and grabbed her arm.

She gasped as she was whirled back to face him. "Hermione I won't watch you walk away this time," he hissed. Harry moved toward her but she stopped him with her free arm.

"I'm sorry Draco you have no choice," she whispered slipping from his grip.

Feeling weak from standing Draco sunk to his knees. "Hermione" he called as he watched them walk out. She turned around to glance at him one last time. Her eyes held such sadness for him.

She turned back around hearing someone speak "Daddy, you came to get us" he heard his daughter say to Harry as he tried to get to his feet once again.

He was going after them but he didn't have the strength to move. He didn't know if it was from the fight or the fact he lost the will as he watched them leave.

"Hermione" he called before finally blacking out.

Ginny walked slowly around the kitchen. She couldn't stop herself from crying. Harry was most likely never going to talk to her again. She figured that much when he hung up on her.

But what puzzled her was his surprise at her confession. It was almost as if he didn't know what she was talking about. But she was just going to have accept the mess she made of her life. Harry and Hermione and even Draco.

Sighing she turned to flip the kitchen light off and screamed as a house elf appeared in her kitchen. Placing her hand over her heart to steady herself she recognized the elf as Draco's.

The elf stood before Ginny pulling on her bat like ears, muttering something Ginny didn't quite understand.

"What is it?" she asked with worry. "Terribly sorry misses, but master is hurt badly and I's cant wake him." She said

"I's cant wake him, I's cant wake him" She repeated it over and over again.

Ginny sobered up quickly and took charge right away. "Where is he?" she barked making the house elf squeak "At the manor misses, master is at the manor" she sobbed.

Nodding Ginny apperated to the manor. What greeted her stopped her heart. "Oh, Draco" she said cradling him in her arms.

"What has happened to you?" she whispered as she smoothed his face.

There you have it people chapter16. Hope you like it and please review. Chapter 17 will be out soon enough.

A special thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story you guys are so awesome. May you never forget it.

Pixie89, Diana the huntress, Jmacsgur115, Mystic4gohan, JsBurnz, Lymaris, swimchick1614, Rblack, Goddess of the heart, Madame-s- Butterfly, HaamiahMing, Maraudersrock77, kichou, dbzgtfan2004, Lyndsey hattaway, Lunastella13, Writrfreak 15, quistis-fantasy.

You all are the reason I love to write and you guys mean the world to me.

Thank you all with much love

Bra4goten

P.s. And a special thanks to my good friend who read my story the other day and told me it was awesome.