Thanks for reviewing and you guys rock. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you all enjoy my story and I hope you continue to do so.
I dedicate this story to each and every one of you. Well I guess with that said on with the chapter.
Chapter 18 – Making a new start
Hermione paled as she returned Harry's gaze. Her stomach grew tense; her hands clutched in her lap at the sight of his face…his eyes.
Though his reaction was silent, it was unmistakable.
His shoulder muscles strained under his robes, his jaw became rigid. Anger sharpened every inch of his handsome face.
But it was his eyes that were the most revealing.
Storms brewed in the emerald depths of his obsidian stare. They sparked with the lightning of hardly suffused emotion. And his eyes became more and more thunderous.
Until, finally the torrent broke.
"I told you Malfoy couldn't be trusted"
Hermione flinched as the harsh words grated from his throat.
"I told you, and you refused to listen, you insisted he was honestly sincere" He actually sneered the phrase at her, and Hermione felt her spine straighten with indignation.
"Above my warnings. And now the truth comes out. Now his true character comes to light."
Trying to remain calm, Hermione fought the ominous narrowing of her eyes. She suspected he was going to find some way to blame her for this.
"You don't even know if Draco is behind this," she reminded him sharply.
His lips twisted in disgust as he said, "Wake up Hermione, he would stop at nothing to get her"
Hermione smacked her palm down on the arm of the chair. "You haven't even checked with Draco. How do you know whether or not he took her? Your just stuck in the past, reliving your silly childhood battles" she cried.
Pain flickered across his face and he leaned back in his chair. His voice was dead calm as he commented, "I can't believe after all he's done that you would side with him over me."
She felt the blood drain from her face. Is that what she'd done? Sided with Draco? She had.
But why? She wondered. Especially when it was verypossible he had taken Ashlynn.
It was because she'd felt the need to strike out at Harry for saying "I told you so". She refused to believe Draco was behind this. She wanted to make Harry realize that he was making rash judgments where Draco was concerned.
He continued to act on his emotions and not on logical thinking, but even though she felt all these things she shouldn't have taken Draco's part. She shouldn't have sided with the man.
Hermione's throat squeezed shut with some emotion she couldn't name. Why couldn't he understand that she wanted to be on his side in all of this?
Why didn't he see that she wanted the two of them to be working together in Ashlynn's best interest?
"Look I'm just as scared as you are Harry but I think your wrong about Draco. He has changed, I truly believe he would never harm her"
Harry leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk, his eyes becoming even more piercing as he studied her.
"A…and although." She stammered, "I do believe that Draco would never harm Ashlynn and that he cares for her" she stopped long enough to swallow.
"I feel that Draco has made some really bad choices in the past, But not this time Harry."
She had to force herself not to voice all the very valid reasons behind those bad choices. "And" she went on "if I'm wrong I want you to know that I'll go along with any decision you make about this."
"All I ask is for you to think about this first." She sighed.
"I'm going to look for her. I can't stand this any longer" she said.
His gaze sought and held Hermione's. He wanted to tell her all the things he was feeling. He wanted to confide in her all the turmoil tossing inside him.
But at the moment he couldn't seem to put two coherent words together. He couldn't figure out why, he certainly had plenty just a second ago.
He felt the need to say something, but his brain seemed to overload to the point that speaking was impossible.
"I need to find her," she said sprinting to the door. "Hermione wait" he was finally able to say.
He couldn't remember why at the moment, but he knew Ashlynn was safe.
"Hermione," he called again. But she was gone.
Harry felt an overwhelming need to close himself off from the world and sort through all the feelings that were running through him.
Sitting across from Hermione, listening to her rant, he'd come to some stark conclusions. Conclusions that needed his full, undivided attention.
But first he needed to take care of the most pressing problem… Ashlynn's whereabouts.
Picking up the phone he sighed "Anything yet?" he asked once the guard answered. "Very well, find her fast and call me as soon as you do" he told the man.
He wanted to be out there searching for her, But someone had to stay incase someone called.
He put down the phone and settled in his chair to wait. His guards were good at what they did; Harry knew he wouldn't have to wait long.
Hermione had to fight her legs from buckling under her as she made her way to Draco's office. He was going to be there she knew it. She was going to turn the corner and he was going to be sitting at his desk.
Completely unaware that Ashlynn was missing. He had to be. Cause she didn't know what she'd do if he wasn't.
As she turned the corner, she covered her mouth with her hand and sobbed. There he was sitting at his desk signing something from what she could tell.
So she was right. Draco didn't have her daughter. Relief and fear rushed through her. Hermione wanted to be wrong about Draco but she still didn't know where Ashlynn was.
Draco looked up hearing something that sounded a lot like crying. And when he did he spotted the last person he expected to see.
Seeing Hermione he jumped up rather quickly.
"Hermione what happened?" he asked reaching the door
"Draco, Ashlynn's missing," she sobbed falling into his arms.
He almost didn't catch her as he fell into him as her words swam in his mind. His daughter was missing, that was impossible.
"I sent her out for markers and she never came back" she cried.
"She's missing here at the ministry?" he asked.
"Yes, Harry has guards looking for her right now as we speak. The doors have been locked down"
He nodded but looked very confused, "Why aren't you out looking for…" he stopped as it hit him. Frowning at her he turned.
"I see. You thought I took her and you were coming to check" he said his voice sounded pained.
"I'm sorry, Draco. I just thought… The past few weeks haven't been very..."
He sighed; he couldn't very well blame her. He did tell her he thought of it before. "None of that matters now, come on let's go find her," he said grabbing her hand and running from the office.
You can wallow in your pain; dwell in your embarrassment Is that what he had been doing all this time? Harry wondered.
Hell no, came the silent answer. He'd only been protecting himself. And his little one. Was that so wrong? The question caused his throat to knot with emotion.
The telephone rang and he snatched up the receiver.
After listening for a moment he remarked "Good work. Bring them both to my office." Without hesitation he added "And find my wife would you? Bring her here as well"
Hanging up he sighed with relief. They found his daughter, and now he couldn't help but wonder if maybe just maybe it was time for him to do the right thing.
Hermione felt as though the world were crashing in on her. If she had the time she'd allow herself the luxury of sitting down and crying her heart out.
Put she couldn't not when her daughter was missing. No, she had to keep looking.
"Mrs. Potter" said a man as he ran up to her. "Oh. Hello Mr. Malfoy" he said noticing Draco.
"Frankie" Draco said nodding.
"Mr. Potter said to find you and bring you to his office. They found your daughter," he told Hermione.
"Oh, thank god" she cried "Let's go Draco" she said grabbing his hand.
Draco followed her feeling the weight of the world was lifted from his heart. His daughter was safe and right now that was the only thing that mattered.
"Harry" she said in aloud clear voice, "Where is she, where did she…" The words died midstream as she took in the sight before her.
Ginny had obviously been brought into the room with Ashlynn just moments before she arrived herself. Ashlynn looked frightened and upset.
Ginny was on the verge of tears. At the sight of Hermione, Ginny exclaimed, "I never left the building. I'm sorry, I found Ashlynn wandering the hallways and…"
She tried to move toward Hermione, but the guard tightened his hold on her arm. A sob broke from Ginny's throat.
Draco growled "Hey that's not necessary. Let her go" he looked at the guard.
There was a split second of heavy silence before Harry spoke. "You can go," he told the guard who was holding Ginny. Then he turned his gaze to the man who had followed Hermione into the room and nodded.
"Draco, you stay," he said
Harry's dark eyes locked onto Hermione for a moment, and she couldn't be certain, but she thought she read…He turned to his daughter before she could capture the emotion.
She watched as he bent down and picked her up.
"Now, listen here." He said gently. "I know your scared but everything is going to be okay"
Ashlynn's teary eyes grew wide with sadness. "I don't want you to be mad at me daddy"
Harry's lips tilted into a kind smile. "I'm not angry with you," he said "I'm just happy your safe"
The child remained silent, as though she wasn't sure she believed what her father was saying.
Harry looked over at Ginny.
"I found her in the hallway.WhenI was looking for Ron.I was only concerned for her safety" Ginny rushed in her own defense "You didn't have to send guards. I was on my way up to your office with her"
"I know you were," he said "And I will be forever grateful to you Gin." He smiled.
"And we can work this out. The three of us," he added pointing to himself, Draco and Hermione. "We don't need Ginny as a mediator."
He adjusted Ashlynn on his hip. "Draco why don't you come to the flat tonight…Say around seven- thirty, and we'll work out some kind of visitation agreement."
"Are you serious?" Draco asked not really sure if he was being real. Harry nodded. "I mean it, and I'm sorry I've been such a ass about the whole thing.
Suddenly he clamped his lips shut, seemingly refusing to say another word on the subject. He put Ashlynn down. "You go with your mother now" he told his daughter. "Daddy will see you tonight at home."
Hermione was shocked by what she'd heard. The words that had come out of Harry's mouth were so opposed to everything he'd said and done up to this point.
She stood there as though not really sure what to say at this point.
"Hermione, I think Ashlynn has had a eventful day. Maybe you should take her home," he told her softly.
"Yeah, your right. See you at home" she said his voice above a whisper. Ashlynn tucked her little hand in Hermione's and they went out the door together.
Ginny wiped her face dry and looked from Draco to Harry "I'm glad you two have settled this ridiculous feud of yours. You both have finally agreed on something. The welfare of your daughter."
Without another word she turned from the men and walked out doing her best to stay strong until she was alone.
Once she walked away Draco wanted to run to her. But he wasn't sure if it would matter. After all the last time they met things weren't exactly friendly.
He found he didn't care about that. She looked so upset and that bothered him. Turning to look back at Harry he sighed.
"Look I know there is a lot we need to talk about but I'm sure it can wait till tonight right?" he asked.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure it can. Despite today's events we do have work to do."
"Okay till later then Potter," Draco said. "Till later" Harry responded.
Draco bolted from the office with a quickness but it was too late Ginny was gone.
Hermione was sitting in the living room watching a carton with Ashlynn when Harry walked in followed by Draco. She sat up turning off the TV.
So this was really happening. Harry was actually going to allow Draco to see Ashlynn. She wondered where all this sudden change of heart was coming from.
"Hello, Mr. Malfoy" Ashlynn said from next her Hermione.
"Hey, angel face" he said smiling. He was finally going to get a chance to be a father. And oddly enough he had Harry to thank for that.
"Ashlynn, why don't you go play in your room sweetie" Hermione told her as both men took a seat. "Okay mummy" she said running down the hallway.
Harry waited for her to enter her room before he spoke "Okay, you are Ashlynn's father. And I know that things have gotten off to a rough start." He said.
"But I feel the time has come to put a side any personal feelings we may have and do what's best for that little girl." He paused and it seemed he was struggling with the words.
Hermione gave her husband a reassuring smile in hopes of encouragement. She knew this was hard for him and he would never know how proud she was of him at that moment.
Grabbing his hand, she looked up at him and smiled. Feeling calmer as he slipped his fingers with hers he continued.
"And I feel the best thing for her is to know her father. Her real father. And I pray that you will take her in your arms and vow to always love her" Harry continued to squeeze Hermione's hand.
"Cherish her Draco. Always protect her no matter what. Be the father I have been, the one I know you can be." His eyes began to water and he brushed them dry.
Draco nodded "I will do that and more. Potter I know I haven't been easy and I done everything in my power to head you off every chance I got…"
Now it appeared Draco was trying to find his voice.
"But through it all" he started "I want you to know I truly respect you and am entirely grateful for being there when I couldn't be"
"And I will continue to be there for the rest of her life" Harry reminded him. Sticking his free hand out he smiled softly.
"What you say dad, ready to share our little girl" He asked.
Draco returned the smile as he shook Harry's hand. "Ready as I'll ever be," he agreed. "How about we bring her over tomorrow and let her spend the day at the manor."
"From there we'll work out a more set schedule" Harry asked.
"I would like that" Draco admitted. "Great tomorrow it is then. Well I guess I should be going," he said taking a deep breath.
"I have a day of fun to plan," he laughed.
"Thanks" he said "Both of you for this." He looked from Harry to Hermione "I won't screw this up. I promise you"
Hermione smiled leaning closer to Harry "I'm sure you wont," she said. "And when the time is right we will tell Ashlynn together, till then we'll keep it as visit's with Mr. Malfoy.
Draco pretended not to notice her inch closer to Harry. While he was glad he was getting the chance to be a father to his daughter. The part concerning Hermione was still a hard thing to swallow.
"Well I better go. I won't bother Ashlynn with a goodbye; I have my chance starting tomorrow for all that. So good night and thanks again for a chance."
They walked Draco to the door and said their last goodbyes. Harry noticed Hermione was being awfully quiet.
"Hermione, you okay?" he asked concerned. She looked up at him She seemed so unsure "Harry do you think we made the right decision?" she sighed.
Harry grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her in a reassuring hug. "It's still to early to tell, but I think it just may work just fine."
"You're right," she said just enjoying the feel of his arms.
Draco tossed his post onto the desk in his study. He was happy now that he had a chance to see Ashlynn and this time he wasn't forced to sneak around.
He was finally free to express his love to his child and he was thrilled. But sadly not as thrilled as he should have been.
Pouring himself a glass of firewhisky he sat down. He couldn't stop thinking about they way Harry and Hermione were so close. The way they supported each other. The way they loved each other.
Would he ever have that? He doubted it. No woman could compare to Hermione. A woman who wasn't afraid to tell him like it was.
Exactly like Ginny did? A small voice said.
Someone who would love his daughter and never see her as a threat. Like Ginny did? The voice said again.
Someone who would stand by his side through good and bad. Like Ginny? The voice repeated for the third time.
"Yes exactly like Ginny" he growled out loud and stopped. Wait a minute. Not someone like Ginny. Ginny herself. He couldn't believe it.
Now it was all too clear to him. The never-ending thoughts, the constant desires. The exotic lovemaking. He knew it now. He didn't know how or when it happened but he knew he had to talk to Ginny.
And she was going to hear him out. Every word.
"Yanny" he called summoning his house elf.
"Yes, master calls Yanny" The house elf said as she speared in the study.
"Go to miss Weasley's residence and escort her back to the manor. I need to speak to her. And don't return without her" he instructed.
With a nod of her head, Yanny popped out of sight.
Ginny lay on her couch feeling a little better than earlier. She still couldn't believe Harry thought she was going to steal Ashlynn.
Sure she did things that left her trust value seriously low. But to take their child. That was crazy. He did let her go though and that had to be something.
Maybe in time she could earn the trust of her friends back and they could be friends once more. Only time would tell.
She screamed as something popped into her living room. Settling down once she noticed the house elf, her fear turned to anger.
"Oh no you don't." she said "If that prat has gone and got himself hurt again, go get someone else" she folded her arms with fierce determination.
"I don't care what happens to him anymore." She spat looking away, expecting the elf to pop itself gone.
Ginny raised her brow and turned to look when she didn't hear any sound of leaving.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" she asked.
Pulling on her ears Yanny shrugged nervously "Master says Yanny no return without the misses" she squeaked.
"I'm sorry, I really am," she said hating the way the poor creature sounded nervous. "But I can't go to the manor. Tell Mr. Malfoy I'll see him when I'm ready to and not a moment sooner.
The elf's brow knit with confusion. "Master says he needs to see misses now" she said
Ginny's obstinate streak reared its ugly head. She didn't know why Draco wanted to see her, or why he felt the need to send his servant to escort her to the manor.
But she had no intention of going anywhere with this elf.
"Misses please" the elf begged.
Ginny fumed. How dare the great Draco Malfoy summon her to him? And to send this poor, pitiful creature to do the job! Why, she'd give Draco a thing or two to think about.
"Fine" she snapped. "I'll go," she said grabbing her purse.
Oh, she thought Draco would pay for this humiliating experience. She'd been holding back her fury since last night. He could do what he wanted about the situation with Harry, but she refused to allow him to treat her in such a degrading manner.
The high and mighty Draco would hear every angry word she felt.
Ginny savored the rage, fed on it. Because it was easier to feel furious about the way he treated her than to feel hurt and sorry to know that she didn't stand a chance with him.
Ginny was too angry to speak to the house elf once they arrived at the manor. She stomped pass the poor thing and pushed open the door to his study.
"Draco Malfoy" she hissed, "Just who do you think you are demanding I come here?" she cried.
"Close the door, Gin" his voice was whisper soft. "We need to talk"
She didn't move. She'd come up here meaning to unload all her anger on him. But suddenly she realized she wasn't angry anymore.
She had no idea where the bad feelings had gone but somehow they had dissipated into thin air.
The reason probably had something to do with the fact that she faced him. His high and mighty manner had seemed to change into something softer.
Ginny didn't know what had happened to…change him, but she felt…awed by it.
"Gin" he said her name a second time and the rich and deep tone of his voice woke her from her thoughts.
"Close the door, please" he repeated. She did as he said this time.
"Let's sit down" he gestured toward the couch.
He moved to the leather couch and sat on one side of the room. She eased herself down, feeling hazy.
"I do realize what an ass I've been," he said.
She had enough wits about her to murmur, "Hear, hear"
He chuckled. "I can always count on you to be absolutely honest about your feelings. I've missed that"
Ginny felt the need to pinch herself, to see if she was awake, to see if this was real. "What's going on?" she blurted out the question without caring how it sounded.
"What's happened to you, Draco? Are you feeling alright?" He chuckled turned into a full-blown laugh. "Lord, but you're gorgeous," he said.
His eyes turned serious and he reached out and touched her hair. Her back stiffened. "Draco, you'd better tell me what's happen to you." Her confusion forced her to add, "You're different. What's happened?"
He drew back his hand, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You" he said softly. "You happened to me."
Reaching up, he traced the crease that wrinkled her brow. "You came into my life when I was dealing with so many bad things. I just found out about my daughter. I was crazy over Hermione…"
His finger trailed along her jaw line. "And you brought some big problems with you."
"I did?" Ginny was taken back.
He grinned ruefully. "Well, that's not quite true. The problems were already here. You simply helped them along."
His delicate caress traveled the length of her neck and then up to her ear. Her skin tingled in the wake of his touch, so much that it was hard for her to keep her mind on the conversation.
For a moment they were quiet but the importance of the conversation at hand had forced her to speak.
"I thought you blamed me," she said softly. "It angered me to think that you did."
"I probably did," he admitted. "I blamed you. I blamed Harry and Hermione and anyone else who came to mind." A soft disgusted sound passed his lips.
"It took a while, but I understand all you said last night." His smile widened to a grin. "I'm just thick-headed." He shifted his body so that he was closer to her.
Continuing to caress her face and neck he said, "The amazing thing is that even though I gave you such a hard time about everything and you lost your friends..."
He let the sentence die off. "You still did what you thought was best for Ashlynn."
Ginny nodded. "I really did believe that Ashlynn should know you and now that you have taken my advice, you will"
"I agree," he said, "And it was that belief of yours that turned the situation around. You did what you thought was right for me and Ashlynn even though it wasn't the easiest thing for you."
"It was terrible for me" she blurted out without thinking.
Now it was his turn to look concerned, but he remained quiet as he waited for her to explain.
"In trying to help you" she began slowly, "I nearly ruined our chance for a friendship"
"It wasn't you," he whispered his assurance. "It was I. And Hermione. You fell into this mess. And you stuck it out with us until we got ourselves straightened out."
His head tilted slightly. "If you don't know it, Ginny Weasley, I need to tell you that I love you more than words can say."
Her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe it. She longed to hear those words and waited for so long.
"You love me?" she asked scared to believe it. He frowned "Does that bother you?" he asked.
"Not at all" she assured him "Cause I love you to" she answered.
She was glad she got the answer out before her throat closed with emotion that was deep enough to bring tears to her eyes.
He pulled her close to him and buried his face in her hair. "Don't cry gin." He whispered huskily. "I never again want to be the reason you cry"
"These are happy tears" but her voice sounded so ridiculously squeaky that they both ended up laughing.
He kissed her then, a long sensuous kiss that seemed to stop time itself. His lips were warm and moist and the conveyed every ounce of love he felt for her.
His warm palm cupped her breast and fanned the desire deep inside her. Ginny slipped into his embrace, onto his lap and returned his kiss.
She let the fires that had been banked inside to flare. She wanted this man, she loved him. And now it was safe to show him just how much.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I love you guys. Chapter 19 out soon.
Bra4goten.
Much love to; Singinsensation, hhrfan1, Dianathehuntress, Dragoneyes5000, Swimchick1614, Goddess of the heart, Maraudersrock77, Kichou, Madam s Butterfly, and Lymaris.