Chapter 18
"What?"
Hermione was slightly nervous she did figured that the Weasley's would be so astounded by the news. She knew that they would not like the idea that her daughter was related to the Malfoy's in anyway. But laughter filled her ears. The cause Fred and George Weasley. Maybe they thought this to be a joke or something. She had no idea why this situation would be funny to them. She looked over at them curiously and heard herself mutter what.
Fred or was it George, well who ever it was, realized that they were going to have to explain. He then nudged his other half and they smiled at everyone then clapped their hands together and screamed, story time. At this exact moment, Bill arrived home with Charlie who was planning on visiting for a couple of weeks. Hearing this they looked around trying to figure out exactly what was happening. That is when the twins started to explain.
"Sit down, sit down. Alright we laugh only because of the irony and complete insanity of the situation." That was Fred. He looked at everyone then back at George who started to explain further.
"Yes, as Fred said. Irony, we all know what that is, right?" Seeing the nods he continued. "Well, think Hermione here had one enemy. One person she could hate and take what ever was bothering her out on him, Draco Malfoy. Again, am I correct?" Again, he saw the nods. This time Fred answered to them.
"Continuing, today we find out that Hermione and Malfoy had some secret love affair. When we do not know-" Hermione interrupted them so whatever explanation they were giving would be correct.
"Um, we dated during our seventh year. Haily is eleven." Another resounding, what was heard and she just smile slightly.
"Alright, they had a love affair during their seventh year. Wow, that is just weird is that why you and Ron broke up. Ah, you liked Malfoy. That explains a lot. He must not have known." Hermione nodded and bit her lip nervously. Then George went on from were Fred left off.
"Anyway, the irony of the situation is the whole you absolutely hated him and then you fell in love. Before we all knew that he was not that, arrogant, egotistical, nitwit. That we hated and still do by the way. That is also why it is completely insane. You HATED him. Might I add, hated him."
"Look, before you go on. He, he was different when he was not around his 'friends.'" She used quotations around friends because you really could not call them that. "He was sweet, charming and very, very handsome. Still is may I add." At this most of the guys in the room started making gagging noises. "He may not have been perfect and he may have been an ass. But I loved him." This is when Mrs. Weasley found her voice.
"Then darling, why did you leave? When you left did you know that you were pregnant?" Hermione nodded and looked down. She knew it was a mistake. Every time, she thought of it she felt guilty. "Hermione, dear. It is alright you are back now, you are staying right?" Again, Hermione nodded. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she watched everyone. To her, they were a second family. Someone she always would be there if she needed. "Well then, how about tomorrow, you bring Haily and D-Draco over for dinner." It was not a question, more of a request and Hermione would not turn Mrs. Weasley down. She never could.
"I think we can do that. Um, we are staying at the manor for the week. I am certain he won't mind. But all I ask is that everyone be nice to him. I know you do not like him and inviting him to your home is hard, but please be kind." Hermione watched as all the men looked at their mother expecting her to answer for them.
"Of course, dear. My boys will behave themselves as perfect gentlemen. There will be no pranks or rude comments. I will make sure of that. Also, Katie it would be nice if you came to dinner to. I am sure no one will mind." Katie nodded her head and looked over at Hermione.
"Well, then Katie and I will take our leave now. We will see you tomorrow. At what time?" Hermione questioned.
"Six." Was the response then, Hermione and Katie floo'd back to Malfoy manor.
"I do not think I can ever get used to flooing." Katie stated. Hermione nodded and heard the souund of laughter coming from further down the hall. Following the sound, Hermione found herself in a room painted blue. The bed, was perpendicular to the door with a pale yellow bedspread covering the wooden white frame. Adjacent to the bed was a small white night stand with a picture frame and lamp set on top. A few feet from the door was a white armoire with a vase of purple lilies. A few feet from that was a small vanity accompioned with a small stool this set next to a door that was open and could be seen as the the bathroom. Sitting in the middle of the room was Draco and Haily.
"Well, I take it that you found a room that you like, eh?" For the first time upon her arrival a few minutes earlier they looked up at her. Haily was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
"Mommy, it is just like my room at home do you like it?" Haily grabbed Hermione's hand and then led her about the room while pointing little things out to her. "Everything is the same except this, mum." Haily picked up the picture frame that was on her night stand. It was a picture of Draco and Hermione at the Halloween Ball. She did not remember having her picture taken, but she could tell it was before the ball and her and Draco were standing outside.
"Did Draco give you that?" Hermione looked over to were Draco was sitting and then noticed he took a spot on the bed and was watching as Haily showed her around the room. Haily nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah, he said he has others but I liked this one mommy. Don't you?" Hermione was watching Draco and did not respond to Haily's question. He stood up and made his way over to them. Haily put the picture down and watched as he walked over to Hermione.
"Hermione, why don't you give Haily her bag and let her un-pack. While, I show take you and," Draco looked over at Katie, and shrugged.
"Katie," Katie stuck out her hand and shook Draco's. "Nice to meet you, finally." Draco chuckled. Hermione nodded and took out Haily's bag and enlarged it. Then followed Draco. "Hermione, don't you need to get your stuff from that place you are staying at?" Hermione's eyes widened and Draco stopped and turned around.
"I should go do that. Umm, can you apparate from here?" Draco shook his head.
"You will have to floo."
"Oh, alright I will be right back it will not take to long." And with that said Hermione turned around and was gone.
When Hermione returned Draco showed her, her room and watched as she looked around. Hermione's room was a light red. The bed was a dark wood with gold bedspreads. The night stand was a dark oak and was the same as the dresser. She also noticed a small door that must have led to a bathroom. She smiled just like home.
"Haily told me the colors if there is anything else you need in here. I am sure you can whip it up." Hermione laughed. "It is very gryffindor of you to have gold and red in your bedroom, you know." Again, she laughed.
"Just because they are gryffindor colors does not mean I can not like them."
"True, true. I like red that is why my room is red. The same color as your walls actually." Hermione smiled. "Well, I should go so you can get settled. Good night."
"Wait," Draco turned around and looked at her. "Umm, well Mrs. Weasley invited us over to the burrow for dinner tomorrow." Draco looked at her curiously before raising an eyebrow and saying something along the lines of come again. "Well, when she found out that I had a daughter and that you were the father she invited us over for dinner."
"She took me being the father, well then."
"Oh heavens no. Fred and George found it rather funny and after explaining a lot of things they finally came to turns with it. Harry and Katie were also invited. But Mrs. Weasley mainly wants to meet Haily."
"They would find it funny. Well, I guess we should go it would be nice to get out of the manor for a few hours. Hermione?"
"Yes."
"Uh, where are you going to stay after this week? You mentioned something about only staying for a week."
"Oh, well I am going to go house hunting. Find something small for me and Haily."
"Hermione you are always welcome to stay here."
"I could not impose. It would be rude. We can find something it should not be that hard."
"Hermione you would not be imposing on anything. It gets rather lonely here and I would like to get to know my daughter. It would be easy for both of us. We can be a family of sorts." Hermione bit her lip and thought about it. It would be easier for her and Haily to stay. And Haily would be able to get to know her father, which is something Hermione was absolutely sure she wanted. But it made her slightly nervous being in such close quarters to him. When at the hotel she realized that there were lingering feelings left for Draco and she was sure that she was not ready to act on them.
"If you are sure that we would not be imposing then I guess we can stay. I am going to have to go back to the states for a couple of days to sell my house and finish getting all of our belongings." Draco nodded and walked to the door.
"Good night, Hermione."
"Good night, Draco." He shut the door with mixed feelings. Since yesterday, all he could think about was her and their daughter. Today, for the first time he saw his daughter and knew that he would do whatever it took for her to be happy. He fell in love with Haily the moment he saw her. The night before he realized that he was still in love with Hermione. He thought that he was over her. Tried to be over her. In the past eleven years, Draco had dated many women. Though that stopped when he started working at Hogwarts with Potter. Draco was not going to tell many people but working with Potter gave him a whole new respect for the man. And they became close friends, that people knew. Why he reacted so badly about his relationship with Hermione was beyond him.
Draco walked into his room and got himself ready for bed with one thing on his mind, Hermione. It had been awhile since he thought only about her as if nothing else existed. But tonight he let himself forget. Forget that he killed his father in the final battle, forget the months of waiting before he was found innocent. Forget that most of his friends were dead and forget the suffering he went through when Hermione left. Draco soon fell into a restless sleep with thoughts of Hermione on his mind.
A/N: Please Review! My internet has gone kaputz so I am using a friends. I do not know when my next update will be. I only hope that my computer starts to work and that it will be soon. Thank-you to those who have read and REVIEW!
