A/N: Well,I thought i was kind of mean leaving you with a cliffhanger like that so i updated sooner. HEEHEE..okay, well, ideas are floating in my mind and i can't wait to post them! hahaha.. Wish me luck regarding to my studies so I can be in front of the computer in a more frequent basis. Thanks for those who reviewed on the previous chapter! Here goes the story...

DISCLAIMER: Nope, own nothing.

Chapter 14: Morning before the birthday

"Crucio!" Hermione heard from behind Ron. Likely enough, Harry stood there on top of Ron as Ron cringe with white hot pain.

"I can't believe this, Ron. You! I left you for a couple of hours and this is what you do!" Harry lifted the curse but still pointedhis wandover Ron's throat to give emphasis.He walkedto Hermione to give her his cloak. She immediately wrapped herself with it. Harry was seething in anger.

"Why did you do such a thing! And to Hermione of all nonetheless! You're despicable!" Harry added. He was so infuriated that he put Ron in a body- bind curse.

"Wait here for a moment," Harry ordered Hermione. Hermione didn't do anything but blinked as Harry disapparated with Ron. After three seconds he was back.

Harry hugged her very tight and kissed her fully on the lips. Hermione was too shocked with everything that's happened she had no time to register every detail.

"Don't ever let such a thing happen again," He apparated her to the Malfoy Manor and let her sleep for the night.

The next morning, Hermione sat up on the bed. She was in a very comfortable room. The sun's rays entered the huge window. She felt someone squirm beside her. She got scared as she remembered the night before. Ever so slowly she tilted her head towards the body beside her. To her surprise, Jayze laid there, sleeping soundly. Hermione kissed her son's forehead and just stared at him.

"Did you sleep well?" Draco asked from the doorframe. Hermione looked up and smiled at him. He pushed away from the doorframe and walked over to her.

"Jayze needed his mother. I think he gets more and more depressed as the day passes. He haven't seen the real Granger," Draco said. His eyes focused on nothing but his son. Hermione's smile faltered.

'Granger. He's still mad at me," Hermione contemplated. Her eyes started to well up.

"Don't you know what happened to me last night? Or you just don't care? I was almost raped by my best friend! And all you can think about is your grudge? Is there really nothing of your love left there?" Hermione pointed at his heart. She was very upset with him. Draco grabbed her wrist and stared blankly at her.

"You're the one to talk about feelings, Granger." Draco told her, his head shot towards her.

"Don't you understand? My memory is back! Every detail of what happened to us, I remember now. Can't you forgive me? Are you now hollow of any emotion towards me except for hate?"

"You don't know what you're talking about, Granger,"

"Then tell me! 'Cause I really have no idea!"

"Go to someone who will make you happy, Hermione. Not to someone who you feel you are obliged to go to." Draco didn't look at her as he said this. He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him gently.

"mama," Jayze uttered from the bed. Hermione wiped her tears with the back of her hands and smiled at her son.

"Did you sleep well, dear?" Hermione asked her beautiful son. He nodded and stretched his arms indicating his want for her to carry him. Hermione took him and went to the dining room. Draco was not there. Hermione sighed and looked at her son again.

"daddy?" Jayze asked his mother.

"I don't know where your father is dear. But I promise we will look for him after you eat, okay?" Jayze nodded and smiled gleefully. He ate very well that morning. Missing his mouth occasionally as he spoon-fed himself.

"Jayze?" Draco called out from the dining room door.

"daddy!" Jayze shrieked excitedly and snickered.

"Now look who got sick yesterday." Draco scratched Jayze's head affectionately and smiled at him.

"He was sick?" Hermione asked Draco. Draco only looked at her then back to Jayze and smiled again.

"Draco, why didn't you tell me!" Hermione screeched.

"Looks like your mum and I need to do some talking, Jayze. Can you be a good boy and play in the living room?" Jayze nodded feverishly and stretched his arms for Draco to carry him to the living room. Hermione waited impatiently, tapping her foot against the delicate marble floor.

When Draco reappeared in the dining room his face was blank. No emotion can be deciphered.

"So?" Hermione started. She fought every cell in her body not to go to him and hug him tight, never to let go. Draco sighed loudly which took Hermione by surprise. She didn't expect Draco to let her see any weakness.

"I dreamt something," Draco began.

"Jayze was very ill and there was nothing we can do. I thought it might be because we're fighting so much and he misses his mother." Draco took a step closer to Hermione as he said this. Hermione looked at him directly in the eye, wishing silenlty for him to embrace her.

"That's why I am letting you stay here. So you can look after him." Draco sat on a nearby chair and took a sip of coffee. Hermione sighed inwardly. She thought Draco would have reconsidered their divorce by now seeing that Jayze needed them both.

"If Jayze needs something I'll be in my study." Draco got up and proceeded to his study.

Hermione stared after him as he went. She doesn't know what to do anymore. For her, she did everything that she could do. She was in a trance when Harry stepped inside the dining room.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Harry asked her. Hermione's head shut upwards to see Harry looking at her concernedly. She blushed as the thought of last night came back to her.

"Y…Yeah, I'm fine. And you?" Hermione asked back.

"Well, I'm going to the Ministry today. Ron will be trialed. I don't know why he did it Hermione but I'm sorry." He enveloped Hermione in a tight embrace. Her eyes started to sting and eventually, tears came strolling down her cheeks.

"I… don't know what to think. He just attacked me, Harry! If you didn't come I… I might be pregnant with an illegitimate child by now! What would Draco think of me? How can I face the public?" Hermione choked as she said this. Harry caressed her back to make her calm.

'I came to rescue last night. Rememeber that.' Harry told himself.

"Calm down Hermione. Nothing happened. You're safe. Let the Wizengamot decide on his fate," Harry told her. Hermione broke the embrace and looked at Harry.

"Have you talked to him, Harry? Have you talked to Ron?" Hermione asked, her face stained with tears.

"Yes,"

"And?"

"And he said he planned it all. He said he had been meaning to abuse you and it was a shame that I arrived," Harry didn't look at her as he said it. He had been interested on the floor.

"Oh, Harry. I… can't believe this! After all we've been through! He was thinking of that!" She spat every word as if it were venom.

"If you're here to ask me to go to his trial, Harry, I'm sorry but I can't." She stalked off to the living room and played with Jayze.

Harry stayed in the dining room for a while beforemeeting Draco in his study.

Knock! Knock!

He opened the door and saw Draco thinking very hard, staring at a picture frame on top of his desk.

"How's life for you, Draco?" Harry asked. Draco was cut in his reverie and smiled meekly at Harry.

"The same." He straightened up and motioned for Harry to sit in front of him.

"What did you do last night, before bringing Ron to me?" Harry asked, direct to the point.

"Have you seen Hermione's necklace Harry?" Draco calmly asked which made Harry irritated.

"Yeah, so?"

"I gave it to her," Draco stated which enlightened Harry somehow.

"And what did you do once you saw them?" Harry asked.

"I used the Cruciatus curse," Draco said nonchalantly.

"What?"

"It's what he deserves. Attacking my wife like that. I don't want a red head in the family. Brunettes are fine, not red heads." Draco examined his nails before adding:"No offense to your wife or anything, Harry. I just don't like red."

"Oh," Was all Harry could say.

"Did you do anything else?" Harry pressed on.

"I hugged Hermione," Harry sighed in relief.

"Then I guess I'll go now. Ron will be on trial after an hour." Harry stood up and made his way to the door. Once he reached for the knob, Draco called out.

"Oh, by the way, I kissed her on the lips. I hope you don't mind. Send my best wishesto the Dementors!" Harry only shook his head at his statement. When he arrived at the Ministry, that's the only time he registered the first part of Draco's statement.

"I kissed Hermione!"

A/N: So, what do you think? Is it a cliffhanger again? I hope not. I hope you liked it. And please read Left unsaid too. It was inspired by a friend of mine. Thanks for reading...now, REVIEW...hehehe,thanks again!