A/N: Hey all. Well thanks for the reviews! You all rock! I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own it.

Chapter Eighteen: Evil Strikes

The next three days passed with the news of Pansy Zabini's murder sending even more shockwaves through the Wizarding Community of England. Many claimed this is the work of those who destroyed Hermione Grangers business, which was true but Aurours were not saying word to anyone. Everything was very hush, hush. The Aurours were tracking down Sharla Mink and Emery Flint, but every time they got close they managed to weasel out of their grasp. Pansy's funeral was during the third day that passed. Draco and Hermione attended with the Parkinson's, Zabini's, and Narcissa and Lucius. Blaise remained quiet, going to Samantha after the service. Draco was quiet also. He had been since the incident in the bathroom. Hermione couldn't get one word out of him and it was really beginning to worry her. Did Draco have more feelings for Pansy than he was letting on? Did something happen the night he visited her and got home late?

Lucius and Narcissa still hadn't told about the building plans, which were almost complete – magic, really did make things happen quicker. This time they had seen too it spells were put on the building which stopped anyone with any ill feeling towards the business from coming in or doing any harm too those owning it or working there.

The day after the funeral, Hermione woke up too see Draco going through an old photo album he owned. Hermione stood and walked over too the desk he was sitting at. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off.

"Sorry," muttered Hermione walking over too her wardrobe, "I'm going too Digion Alley today. Dakota is going to Molly's. Remember you have too work at 10am."

"I'm not going," snapped Draco.

"I know you are in pain, but you can't mope around forever," replied Hermione calmly as she pulled off her nightgown and dressed in her work muggle clothes, a black skirt with a layered affect at the front, a white ¾ shirt with a slight v-neck and black shoes with a low heel.

"Maybe I want too."

Hermione shot him a dirty look and headed towards the door before she spun around too look at him, "I lost both my parents, but I have managed too pull through. You lost a bestfriend, I can imagine the pain you are feeling but don't take it out on me!" Hermione pulled the door open and slammed it behind her too be face to face with Emery Flint.

"Lovers in trouble, hmm?" he said in a cold tone, "Oh dear."

Hermione slowly moved her hand too the back of her skirt, but noticed she had forgotten her wand, she stepped back and grabbed the door handle and twisted it, "Go away… where is Sharla?"

"Oh... not here. Don't worry, your daughter is still asleep in her bed."

Hermione pushed the door back and fell onto the ground. Draco stood up from his chair and looked at her in confusion. Hermione looked at him, with fear filled eyes before looking back too where Emery should have been, but he was gone.

"You okay?" asked Draco concerned.

Hermione stood up ignoring him. She ran too her dressing table and grabbed her wand before running out of the room too her daughters. She slammed the door open, causing Dakota too wake up startled. But no one was in the room.

"Mummy?" mumbled Dakota, "Are you okay?"

"Fine Sweetie," replied Hermione, feeling rather relived, "Time too get up. You are going too Granny Molly's today."

Dakota stood up and allowed Hermione too dress her in the clothes she picked out, pink jeans and a white jumper with a pony across the front, along with her riding boots.

"You got me these in Australia," smiled Dakota before whispering, "Daddy doesn't cuddle me anymore."

Hermione looked up at her daughter in the eyes, "Daddy is going through a hard time. His best friend has gone to heaven with Nannie."

Dakota nodded, "Maybe I will make him a picture and he will cuddle me."

Hermione smiled, "That sounds like a good idea."

O

"Am I going to Granny's today?" asked James as Ginny poured him a bowl of cornflakes.

"Yes you are," said Harry walking into the kitchen holding Rianna, "Because I am taking Mummy out for the day. We are going baby clothes shopping."

"We are?" asked Ginny with a raised eyebrow.

"Indeed we are."

Ginny smiled and walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "I love you."

"I love you too my darling," smiled Harry placing Rianna in her high chair, "You know she will soon be sitting at the table."

"Like big girl!" gurgled Rianna smiling at her father.

"Like a big girl," nodded Harry before helping her eat her breakfast, "So what are you going too do at Granny's?"

"Build blocks," answered Rianna, "Play with Dakka."

"And you James?"

"Play with Dakota and help Granny make muffins," replied James finishing he bowl, "All done Mummy."

"Good boy," praised Ginny taking the bowl and sticking it in the sink, "Now how about you go get dressed. I need too send Hermione a letter."

Ginny walked into the office by the lounge room and sat at her desk and began writing too Hermione.

O

The hour passed with Hermione and Dakota eating. Draco still hadn't come down for breakfast, but with Hermione's mood towards him, she wasn't even bothered to go see what was wrong. She knew, and though she felt sorry for him, she knew it was pointless for him too mope the whole day away. Just as she was packing a few things for Dakota too take with her an owl, Hedwig to be exact flew into the kitchen.

"I'll get the owl treats!" screamed Dakota running into the pantry as Hermione took the letter from the aging owl.

"Getting old girl?" smiled Hermione earning a hoot from Hedwig, "Just like Crookshanks. All he does is sleep."

Hedwig hooted again and accepted the treat from Dakota before flying out the open window. Hermione sat at the kitchen table and opened the letter from Ginny.

Dear Hermione,

How are you going? Well, just so you know, James and Rianna will be at Mum's today as well. Harry is taking me out baby clothes shopping. But yesterday, while he was out flying with James, I went too a check up at St Mungo's with Mum. It turns out I am going to be having triplets! That is why I am so big! I don't know how too tell Harry though. I know he wants a large family but only four children, not five!

Also, I was wondering if you and Draco had decided upon a wedding date yet? Well I'd better go. James wants me too help him make his bed and pick out clothes.

Love Ginny.

A grin was across Hermione's face, ear too ear. Dakota ran over looking excited.

"Mummy! It's New Years Eve!" she cried, "Can I watch the fireworks?"

"Of course you can. Or maybe Granny Molly will be having a party, like she normally does," grinned Hermione, "Guess what though?"

"What?"

"Aunty Ginny is having three babies!"

Dakota's mouth fell open, "Wow! Three babies! That's lots and lots!"

Hermione nodded smiling.

"Will I have a sister or brother?"

Hermione's smile faltered a little, "Maybe one day. Come on. We'd better go."

O

"Good morning Hermione," greeted Molly before hugging Dakota, "Hello dear. James and Rianna are outside with Jonathon."

Dakota hugged Hermione bye and ran outside, to be greeted with a hug from James. Hermione and Molly laughed before moving too the table to sit and talk.

"How are things at home?" asked Molly.

Hermione sighed, "You have always been able to know when something is bothering me… its Draco. I know he has just lost his bestfriend… so I know the pain he is feeling. But Molly… I have lost my parents. My mother has been gone just a month nearly and I have managed too pull through and move on. But he… he won't talk too me, or Dakota and it is hurting her a lot. This morning we had a little fight and when I walked out Emery Flint was in the hallway."

"What?" cried Molly, "Are you okay?"

"Fine. I opened the bedroom door and fell back and Draco didn't even look too see what I was trying too get away from. Normally he would… but he didn't. And by the time I looked back again, Flint was gone. So I grabbed my wand and raced too Dakota's room too see if she was okay – Draco didn't even follow too see what was going on. He doesn't care."

Molly nodded, "A loss of someone is terrible but it should never come in the way of family and those you love."

Hermione nodded wiping away tears, "I'm beginning too think maybe he had stronger feelings for Pansy then he is letting on."

"Oh Hermione, if he did they would be married."

"I know… but what if they only realized they had something? Maybe I am a fool too let him back into my heart… but than I think I love him, I can't be a fool too love someone like him."

Molly took hold of Hermione's hand and squeezed it, "Talk too him. Communication is the key. That is what I tell all of my children and you are one of my children Hermione."

Hermione smiled and stood up. She walked around the table and gave Molly a hug before leaving too confront Draco.

O

"We need one bag of nappies," said Harry picking up a pack of newborn nappies, "Are you okay Ginny?"

"Harry I have something too tell you," said Ginny biting her lower lip, "You know how we want a big family?"

Harry nodded, "Four kids, yeah."

"Well… we are… going to have that… only one more than four."

Harry frowned, confused, "What are you getting at?"

Ginny took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Yesterday I found out why I was bigger then I should be at now six months… I… well we are going to have triplets."

Harry looked at Ginny stunned, his eyes blinking a lot. Ginny let out a breath and grabbed six packs of newborn nappies, along with twelve bottles, three pacifiers, three packs of large safety pins.

"Triplets?" said Harry, "I am going to be a dad to triplets?"

"Yeah. I am going to have to go on leave from the magazine until the children are at least one… I'll be relying on you a lot more."

Harry's face broke out into a grin, "Triplets… triplets... come here you three… no come here you five!"

Ginny laughed, "You aren't mad?"

"Mad? Ginny I am over the MOON!" he cried hugging her, than placing his hand on her stomach, "Three babies… did you find out what they are?"

"I did," replied Ginny looking guilty, "Do you want too know?"

"Yes, we need to get the rooms ready!"

"Two girls and a boy."

"So Adiana, Erin and… Hunter?"

Ginny nodded, "I was thinking Adiana Hermione Potter, Erin Merle Potter, Hunter Ronald Potter?"

"Perfect," whispered Harry before giving his wife a deep, loving kiss, "I love you Ginny."

"I love you Harry," replied Ginny before kissing him again.

O

Hermione walked up the marble staircase, down the hall and into the master bedroom, where Draco was still going over his photo album. Hermione walked over too him and pulled it away from him and looked at it. There was a picture of him kissing Pansy lovingly. A lump formed in Hermione's throat as she shut it. She looked up at Draco fighting the tears forming in her eyes. He on the other hand stood up glaring at her.

"What are you doing?" he snapped.

"I need to talk too you," she replied, trying too keep her voice strong and even, "Did you have more feelings for Pansy than you are telling me?"

"Why?"

"I need to know!"

"I did love her at one stage," he replied rather calmly, "When I was 18… I loved her till about three months before you came along."

Hermione nodded, "So for about three years you loved Pansy."

Draco nodded even though it wasn't a question.

"That night you were at Pansy and Blaise's late did anything happen between you and Pansy?"

"No!" cried Draco, "Merlin Hermione, I love you!"

"You haven't been showing it too me! You are making me question everything, from does he still love her, and to did he screw her a few weeks ago! Do you still love her?"

"She was my first love. I will always have something for her."

"She is your first love… the one you will never forget and I will always be the second woman, who you took in because I had your child, who you have been ignoring and before you say oh you lost someone, lets all cry, I lost my mother at the start of this month. Yes I mourned but I didn't let it come between my daughter and me. I have moved on and you need to get your life in order. I know you love her Draco, but you forget," Hermione paused to stop the tears, but they managed to fall down her cheeks, "I love you and always will. You need too work out what you want and if I am in that dream because since we have gotten back together, we haven't once made love. What's the real reason you wanted us to get back together?"

Before Draco replied Hermione walked out of the room and apperated half way down the hall. Draco walked out of the room, consumed by guilt. He walked towards the staircase and picked up the dropped photo album and opened it too the page Hermione had laid eyes on. Him and Pansy sharing a kiss. He walked back too his room and shut the door wondering what he was going too do to straighten everything out.

O

"We've done it!" cried Narcissa looking at the completed building made of white bricks, with gray painted wood around the windows with golden writing saying "MUGGLE MAGIC WEDDINGS" and below it in silver letters, "Office of the magazine I DO". The door was full glass with a wooden frame painted gray like the window.

"What happened?" came a soft voice behind Lucius and Narcissa.

They turned around in surprise too see Hermione, with tearstains clear on her face.

"Hermione, are you okay?" asked Lucius walking over worried, along with Narcissa.

Hermione nodded, then shook her head, than shrugged her shoulders, "It doesn't matter… but did you two do this?"

Narcissa and Lucius nodded before Narcissa explained, "We knew you needed to rest, so we had this all arranged and built. The first two floors are for the wedding planning, and the top two are for the magazine. We changed the colours and where everything is. Come on in."

Hermione allowed Narcissa too link arms with her as they walked in. Hermione let out a gasp of awe. The roof was high with a crystal chandelier hanging in the middle. The walls were a mid-shade gray with white edging. The reception desk was pale wood with a white marble top. Too the left was another door with OWNER AND PLANNER: Hermione Granger. The door was painted white with the words in gold on the frosted glass window.

"My office?" asked Hermione with a small smile.

Narcissa nodded and Lucius opened the door. Instead of wooden floor Hermione's office had white carpet. In the center was her desk, which looked a lot like her old desk, except the handles on the draws were silver and the top had a more maroon colour. The walls were painted white and a full-length window was behind her looking out too the street. In the corner of the room, right too the door was a filing cabinet with a picture of her and Draco on top of it. Hermione looked away from it and smiled at the large wood coloured vases on both sides of the windows. They were full of her favorite lilies.

"It's beautiful," whispered Hermione, "Thankyou both so much."

"It wouldn't of been possible if your friend hadn't found out about our money," said Narcissa, "The bank have refunded our accounts too what they should be."

"You mean you paid for this?" cried Hermione.

Lucius and Narcissa nodded.

"How can I ever repay you both?"

"Don't. You have given Draco everything he ever wanted. Love, happiness, a family… you," smiled Narcissa.

"Me?"

"He never stopped loving you. Pansy may have been his first love but you are his greatest love."

"I am?"

Narcissa nodded, "Now let us show you the rest."

The rest of the building was just as amazing. The offices were all full of furniture with people's names on the door, only those who died, there names weren't. Instead Lucius had created a large board with their names on it in remembrance. Michael and Hannah's were written in bigger writing seeing as they were with Hermione from the very beginning and all the way through the hard moments. The magazine area was painted in the magazine colours, with Ginny's office being closer too the stairs.

"Thank you both so much," smiled Hermione, "I should get to writing too everyone saying we are back in business and I want them all at work on Monday. And I have to send a letter too the Prophet. I need to replace nineteen wedding planners and thirty-two people from the magazine."

"Fifty-one people died from the business?" asked Lucius.

Hermione nodded, "And twenty clients. Miss Deville was among them. A bit of the ceiling fell and spilt her head open deeply. Broke her skull… everything and still they are out there… killing people too bring me down."

"Sorry to be rude but I'd better get too work. I have a meeting," spoke up Lucius, kissing Narcissa goodbye and hugging Hermione in a father-daughter manner.

"See you tonight darling," waved Narcissa before Lucius left, "How about I help out by writing the advertisements too the Prophet and you write the letter for the workers and just duplicate it 258 times?"

Hermione nodded and they headed too the staff room too get to work.

O

"You have hurt her a lot Draco," said Molly before frowning, "Don't you have work?"

"I sent in a letter saying I had a family matter to attend too," replied Draco, "I need to show her that she is my greatest love. Pansy was my first love, but Hermione showed me the true meaning of love. We haven't done anything… sexual… because I thought she wasn't ready, not because I didn't want too."

Molly sighed, "So you do love her? Because if you a setting out too hurt her, I will see too it your life is an awful one. Hermione is a daughter too me."

"I do love her! She is the reason why I am still alive. I want to grow old with her, have more children with her… everything."

Molly nodded, "Fine, Dakota can stay here tonight. What are your plans?"

"We go out tonight. I have gotten in contact with Professor McGonagall… don't worry I have it all planned out."

"No houselves" warned Molly, "She hates them waiting on her."

"I know. That is all worked out too. Thankyou so much Mrs Weasley," said Draco hugging her before he left with a crack.

O

Hermione walked into her office at home, she had spent the past three hours duplicating letters and sending them off. Now she was home and dying too have something too eat. It was only mid afternoon meaning Dakota would need to be picked up in two hours. Hermione trudged up the stairs and soon sunk into a vanilla scented bath with bubbles floating all around her. She dunked her head under, wetting her brown locks.

Hermione closed her eyes and let out a deep breath, "This is paradise."

Suddenly the door opened making Hermione's eyes spring open. There in a black cloak, stood Emery Flint. He walked slowly over too Hermione and pulled out a long, pointed dagger with a goblin bone handle, crafted too look like a snake.

Hermione was blocked and once again defenseless, she opened her mouth to scream for Draco, but remembered he was at work.

"Leave me alone," pleaded Hermione standing up and grabbing a towel to wrap around her bare naked body, "I have nothing for you… please."

Emery laughed softly, yet it still managed to echo around the room, "My sister disagrees. You know Sharla is my half sister? Different father's, the same whore of a mother."

"Y-your sister can have my business if she wants… please… leave me alone," cried Hermione stepping out of the bath. Her face held the look of ultimate defeat, yet still Emery let her step closer to the toilet seat, where her wand lay hidden, "She can have my magazine… my home but don't kill me… please."

"But death is only the beginning," whispered Emery, "Isn't that what all you muggles believe?"

"Not all muggles. Some believe in reincarnation, that we go to the Summerland's to come back and complete something we didn't do in our past life… lots of beliefs."

Hermione made her legs give way as she sat on the toilet seat, she ran her hand over her clothes and felt the bump of her wand, "But killing me is pointless. Everyone will know you and Sharla are behind it. She can't have my business or anything."

"Yes she will!"

Hermione leaned over and grabbed her dressing gown and pulled it on tying it up, "Its getting cold and drying cold would be awful."

"Whatever," snapped Emery as Hermione tied it up, "Get up. Let me get this over with."

"Is this how you killed Pansy? Got her alone and stabbed her?"

"Wouldn't you just love me to admit it? But don't you see, you are alone, Draco doesn't love you, Dakota prefers her Gran's place too this hellhole… everyone wants you gone. Your mother left you, so did your father, Merle has gone overseas to avoid your ugly, degrading presence. Nobody wants you."

Hermione slipped her hand into her robe pocket gripping her wand tightly, "Mind tricks don't work on me, Emery. Voldemort has tried it before and it didn't work then. What makes you think it will now?"

"Because it is all true. Deep down inside you know it is."

Hermione took a deep breath. She wasn't going to take his bait, "It isn't working Emery."

"But what about the rift you and lover boy have? Would someone who really loves you do that too you?"

"Shut up! You don't know anything!" screamed Hermione pulling her wand out.

Emery's smirk faltered as Hermione took a step towards him, "Drop it now," he growled.

"So who is the helpless one now?" said Hermione finding her courage, "Expellimarmus!"

Emery yelled out in anger as his dagger flew from his hand and into the frothy bathtub. He glared at Hermione and lunged for her, gripping his hands around her neck. Hermione fell back onto the ground with a strangled scream, her wand falling out of her hand.

Emery straddled her, his grip around her neck tightening with every second that passed.

"Watch as your world dies away, with no one to save your pathetic life… your daughter will have no mother, your lover will be alone again, your friends will have no one too talk too… isn't it just wonderful?" snarled Emery.

"N... NO!" cried Hermione as she began too scratch at his hands, "NO!"

"GET OFF HER!"

Suddenly Emery was pulled off Hermione, letting her gasp for air her lungs needed greatly. She looked up from where she laid too see Draco pounding Emery in the face, kicking him in the ribs, lifting him up and slamming his head onto the step next too the shower.

"D-Draco s-stop!" gasped Hermione, "You killed him… he won't hurt anyone, anymore."

It was true, Emery was dead, blood dribbled from the back of his head, mouth and nose. He was pale and still, lips slowly turning a purple-blue colour.

Draco knelt down beside Hermione and gently touched the bruise appearing around her neck, "Are you okay?"

Hermione nodded, taking hold of his hand, "I'll be fine. But Sharla is still out there."

"Didn't you read the letter on the bench?"

"What letter?"

"A letter arrived from Ron. The French Aurours caught her in Paris. She will be given the kiss from the Dementor's tonight."

Hermione let out a laugh of relief and hugged Draco tightly, "We're going to be okay."

Draco nodded as he pulled away, "I'm sorry about this morning. I love you Hermione. You are my greatest love, my soul mate."

Hermione smiled, "And your mine," she leant forward and kissed him softly on the lips, "But we need to get in contact with Ron."

O

The hours passed, with Hermione and Draco answering questions, Ron saying they did everything out of self-defense due to Emery trying to kill Hermione. Once the body and mess had been cleaned up, Draco tended too Hermione's bruised neck, giving her a bruise vanishing potion.

"How does it feel?" he asked softly.

"Better… so should we go get Dakota?" replied Hermione.

"Actually I had a whole night mapped out… romantic dinner at Hogwarts by the lake, the works… but I think a night in is even better."

"Wow… that would have been lovely."

Draco smiled, "I wrote to McGonagall and cancelled… I want to spend it at home with my future wife."

Hermione smiled back and leaned over to Draco kissing him tenderly. He returned the kiss, leaning her backwards onto the lounge. He trailed the kisses down her neck and collarbone before moving his lips back up too hers.

"Bedroom?" he murmured huskily.

Hermione nodded and laughed when Draco picked her up, over his shoulder and carried her up too the bedroom where they spent the rest of the night, together.

A/N: There you go! The evil ones are gone… allowing Hermione and Draco to get things going. Anyway review!

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