Disclaimer: Of course, these lovely characters do not belong to me. I do borrow them for my idea.
Because I was in a writing mood yesterday and got the next few chapters done, I'll give you this one as a bonus, so we can get back to Dramione faster.
You'll get two months of sixth-year for free, as we are going back to regular chapters after this.
Thank you to all of your kind followers and the reviews.
Since I can't PM you, I do need to do a shoutout to guest M, who so loyally reviews. Thank you for taking the time for each chapter.
Fifth and beginning of sixth-year as divorcees
November 2003 – Hermione
She glanced up from her hands when she finally noticed that Narcissa had stopped talking. She racked her brain but had no idea what the older witch had last been talking about. Probably something about Draco leaving after his engagement was broken off and the house being so big and lonely. Hermione swallowed. This was terrible, she should care more. She did care more.
"Are you alright, darling?" Narcissa had put her cup down and her voice indicated that she already knew things weren't alright. Hermione stared at her. She wanted to talk about this, but somehow the mother of her ex-husband seemed like a person Ron wouldn't want her to talk to. At least about this and for once, she could see, how this was possibly bad.
Then again who else was she to talk to? Her own mother still thought on a regular occasion that she should be returning to Hogwarts for her final years of education. Molly was convinced that children were the best thing ever and that each of her children should have at least half a dozen as well. And well everyone else was either pregnant or already had children and was somehow related to her husband. She really should find some friends not related to her. Maybe Luna would have been an option. She shook her head. Her eyes fell on Narcissa and she realized she had been quiet for too long again.
"I took a pregnancy test." She saw her eyes widen and an O forming on her lips. "This morning."
"So are congratulations in order?"
"Oh, no, no, no. I'm not." Her voice might have sounded too eager and relieved and of course if one asked Hermione's true feelings then congratulations for not being pregnant were very much in order.
"I didn't realize you and Ronald were trying." Hermione grabbed her cup of tea and stared at the liquid. Was she really trying? She had found an awful lot of excuses for not having sex, since she hadn't taken the potion last month.
"It would be fun to have ours be the same age as the Harrys kids…" she trailed off and put the cup back down without drinking any.
"That would be fun."
The young witch stared at her hands again.
"They won't be in the same year now." Ron had said that after she had shared the results. His voice had been terribly disappointed. All she could think about was, that maybe now they could wait for the next Potter baby. Giving her a good two years she hoped.
"They will come when you are ready for it." Narcissa's hand was suddenly on hers. And although the words sounded completely innocent, Hermione could tell by the look in her eyes that the other witch had caught unto her reluctance to get pregnant.
December 2003 – Draco
"Draco!" Narcissa was hurrying into the entrance hall, just barely stopping in front of him, remembering that they were Malfoys and she shouldn't fling herself in his arms.
"Mother, it's good to see you." He placed a kiss on her cheek, before stepping back.
"I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow."
"I finished up early, listen I should tell you…" Her eyes flicked away from him, as the fireplace activated again. Before he could finish his sentence a young witch with unnaturally blond hair came through and flung herself into his mother's arms, like they had been lifelong friends.
"Mrs. Malfoy it's so nice to meet you."
Narcissa's eyes widened as she stared over the girl's shoulders at her son. It was the same moment his own eyes widened, as a familiar witch entered the entrance hall through the door to the hallway. Ashely, oblivious to the whole situation, gave Narcissa another squeeze, before pulling back and looking briefly at Draco, before spotting Hermione.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't know who you are." Draco could feel a headache coming on. How he wished she would have stayed in the states, where she belonged. He could feel her move and caught her arms before she launched herself at his ex-wife.
"Ashley, you have met my mother, Lady Narcissa Malfoy, and that over there would be her friend, Hermione Weasley."
"It's Granger-Weasley." He rolled his eyes at her, before adding the words that could have just make him lucky enough that Ashley would run back through the fireplace.
"My ex-wife." She didn't seem to hear that part.
"Oh, you are one of Harry Potter's friends." He was horrified when he heard her squeak and clap into her hands. "Sweety, you didn't tell me you knew them."
He glared at Hermione when he saw the smirk that spread as he was called by the pet name. This was so not what he had wanted his holidays to be like.
"I learned about you in school. It's fun to learn about wizards who aren't dead or old and wrinkly. Those pictures of Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, they are so hot. It was my favorite exam all through school."
He caught his mother's eyes and was even more upset when he noticed that she seemed to find the whole thing amusing. Hermione as well had another smug smirk on her face.
"That would be her husband and best friend, Ashley. So let's try to be a little less graphic."
"Oh, which one are you married to? My friends and I always debated who you matched better. I was team Ronald." Draco groaned, hadn't they just discussed Hermione's last name? He should have left her in the states. In the meantime, his mother stifled her laughter behind her hand.
"Well you are in luck, I'm married to Ron." Hermione's voice had the sound as if she was talking to a little child, as she made her way past them. "Unfortunately, I'll have to go now. I was just picking up some books from the library."
January 2004 – Hermione
She was standing at the back wall of the room, almost melting into it. When she had come in this morning, she was surprised to hear that the Potters had been in the labor and delivery wing for some hours now. She had made her way over to check on them, almost upset about not being notified, when she found the hallways empty.
Harry then proceeded to swear her to secrecy. The couple wanted to have privacy until after their child was born and had no intention of letting any Weasley know. That was until an hour ago and now baby James was being surrounded by grandparents and any other family member that had been able to free themselves up. Hermione smiled softly, as she watched Arthur's eyes light up, holding his newest grandchild.
"This will be us soon." His arm wrapped around her, one hand lingering on her stomach, like she was already pregnant, and a kiss on her cheek followed the words. Her smile faltered slightly. Her latest pregnancy test had been negative again and while Molly had assured Ron that these things took their time and that the potions and spells sometimes took a few months to be work out of the system, she could tell how anxious he was getting.
February 2004 – Draco
Draco's work in the states had been completed and somehow he had gotten used to the fact that Ashley had come back to England with him. She was nice enough and kept his parents quiet about the failed engagement and all those pureblooded witches out there. For now. Of course, he was also a man and didn't mind the sex she was as enthusiastic about as everything else. However, he was planning to disregard her when he got his next project somewhere outside of England, claiming it would be too much of a strain on their relationship and distracting to him. She would cry and sob and then make her way back to America, while he would be far away from Azkaban and his father's rant.
For tonight though, they had dinner in a fancy restaurant that had Ashley beam. After he had apparated her back to the Manor and they wandered the gardens. He let his eyes sweep over the carefully arrange flower beds, that still looked beautiful besides the time of the year. Magic could do that for you. His mind went back to the things he still had to plan and prepare and he finally stopped and turned to her.
"I actually have a question, I wanted to ask you."
He glanced back to Ashley. Her eyes went wide and she seemed seconds away from a squeak. Well, that was an enthusiastic response. But then again that's just how she was. She was a few years younger and in her far away homeland had certainly gotten a more sheltered and happy childhood than anyone in England at his age. It seemed fair that she got excited easily. His brain was still trying to put together what she thought he was asking when she decided he was taking too long and leaped into his arms.
"Yes, a million times yes." There was a big kiss to his mouth and another to his cheek.
Wait, what? His arms around her were more of a reflex, while genuine confusion settled on him. Why was she excited?
"I'm sorry, I didn't let you ask. I just thought I would never be asked. I mean when my older sister got engaged it was harsh…"
Engaged? He stared at her. What was she talking about?
"But when my younger sister got married before even finishing school. I mean I just felt so old and unwanted and then you came along. And everything just became so much better and perfect. And then today at Valentine's." It was the 14th, wasn't it? She squeaked. "This is going to be so exciting, planning the wedding, our future, kids. I really want to name a girl James, oh and a boy could be Norway."
Draco still stared at her. James as of Potter? And Norway as of the country? What had just happened?
"This is such a surprise. Oh, we forgot the ring though." She looked at him expectantly.
"The ring?"
"Well... I'm sure a family as old as yours probably has a family ring, but really a small one is just fine. I got you, that's more important."
His eyes widened.
"No ring? Oh my, this was a spontaneous proposal? You are the most romantic man I have ever met." She threw herself deeper into his arms and he stared at a spot on the ground. Spontaneous was a stretch if one asked him. Blaise would love this. Draco Malfoy had gotten himself engaged without even considering wanting that. Although the real question was, why did he not stop this nonsense? All he was going to ask, was where she thought they should have dinner when her parents came to England. He supposed he could make that choice now since he was probably going to have to bring his mother as well.
March 2004 - Draco
Draco stared at his sleeping fiancée before he finally crept out of the bed and made his way downstairs. It had been the tingling feeling of Hermione's necklace that had awoken him. It was so rare that he wondered if she always wore the necklace or if it was just a coincidence. He walked down the stairs into his living space and grabbed a glass to fill it with fire whiskey. He had moved himself and Ashley back into the quarter Lucia had designed, although he wasn't a huge fan of it. At least that way he could move back to his parent's wing when things with Ashley went south. Which he could feel them going that way already. Engagements seemed to do that to him.
After the large gulp of fire whiskey burned down his throat, he leaned back on the couch Hermione had once sat on. He had moved it into the living room after renovating. He allowed a roll of his eyes, imagining Lucia's reaction, had she ever found out. Taking another deep breath he put down his glass and dove into her mind.
He was irritated at first when he saw the Weaselette holding what seemed to be a newborn - James Sirius Potter he learned. Well, there was another reason to not name his child James, girl or boy. He would have rolled his eyes, but the memory went on naming Granger and Weasley to be the godparents. He was collecting his snarky comments in his mind when he noticed that the feelings in this memory didn't match the happy occasion. Where there should have been happiness he felt a weird sense of awkwardness. And a hint of sadness. He followed the couple home and noticed how Hermione went straight to her bedroom and lock the door, before crying.
"What in Merlin's beard?" Again he forgot that his voice would travel to her thoughts.
He pulled further in and skipped through the different memories finally ending at what seemed to be a fight. Weasley and Granger were yelling at each other and there were tears, lots of them. He followed the fight for a while and then abruptly pulled out when he realized what they were fighting about.
"That's odd." He murmured to himself before he grabbed the fire whiskey and emptied the glass.
April 2004 – Hermione
"Look who I brought with me."
Hermione glanced up from her Healers book, her eyes widening as she saw Ron carrying in baby James.
"Isn't he way too little to be with us?"
"Harry was caught up in a meeting and Ginny really had to go, so I offered." He smiled, as he cooed over his nephew. "He shouldn't be long. I'm sure his meeting is already over."
The young witch stared at her husband. Whatever had possessed him to bring their godson home, she didn't know, but she could feel the anxiety rise in her.
"Do you want to hold him?" She wasn't sure when she last heard her husband so happy. A lot of their life consisted of fighting lately. To make it worse they were fighting over babies, or rather the lack of them in their household.
"He seems comfortable with you. Let's not wake him." She hoped her answer was diplomatic. She suspected that he had noticed her making excuses when it came to holding the new Potter.
"You are right." Ron smiled at her. "See you would make a very intuitive mother."
She focused on her breathing, as she felt another wave of anxiety hit her. Ron seemed oblivious on his baby cloud and cooed at sleeping James, while he sat on the couch.
"Mione, I was thinking, the way we love James, maybe adoption would be something for us to look into." He glanced up long enough to see her weak nod before he turned back to the baby. They had barely been trying for six months now, and her colleagues had assured her that she wouldn't have to worry, yet. So why was her husband talking about adoption?
"I didn't know adoption was a thing in the wizarding world."
"It's certainly a less likely occasion. This is why we should start our paperwork sooner than later." Ron sounded like he had already done his research, which caught her off guard. This wasn't just a spur of the moment thing, because he was cooing over James. "There are orphans or well muggle-borns that can't stay with their family."
Her breathing became less regular.
"Of course that would be an awful story to tell one day. But maybe Harry could help with his experience of his aunt and uncle."
She could feel the hyperventilation being close when a knock saved her.
"I'll be right back." She disappeared into the bedroom and from there into their bathroom. She could tell by the voice that Harry must have arrived to pick up his son, but after she could only focus on her own breathing.
May 2004 – Hermione
She had no idea what had possessed her to wander into James' room. Her eyes were on the sleeping baby now. It was the first time that nobody tried to place him in her arms or get her to smile for pictures.
"Hi, little buddy." She was surprised when his eyes opened at her voice. He stared up at her, but she had read that she wasn't much more than one of many faces yet. Yes, she did read the baby and pregnancy books her husband seemed to just run into on his way home.
In the spur of the moment, she leaned forward and carefully ran her finger over the soft little cheeks. She did like her godson, she realized then. This felt right and she could leave him here when she was going home.
There had been another pregnancy test a few days ago and while she had been relieved at first that they were negative, now she was at the point where she would much rather give Ron that baby than look into his disappointed face again.
"You have it good. All you have to worry about is for food and sleep."
"He also likes to send the food back out." She almost jumped out of her skin at Harry's voice. "Sorry."
There was a chuckle before his arm came around her shoulder. He looked down at his son, but refrained from the stupid cooing Ron would always start.
"Have you seen healers about this?" She glanced at him. "Ron mentioned adoption and well Ginny and I just thought that was a bit early."
"Oh." It was comforting to know that she wasn't the only one with that opinion.
"I tried to tell Ron that we were having at least one other, two if Ginny lets me." She saw the roll of his eyes. "So plenty of opportunities for classmate cousins."
"I haven't seen a healer. They say it's too early. To take out the pressure."
"Well, that's stupid advice."
She shrugged. Harry was right, it was stupid. That's why she had gotten books from the Malfoy library with potions that would work like prenatal vitamins in the muggle world.
June 2004 – Draco
He was sat at his desk, the rest of his lunch still sitting over in his little sitting area. There was a knock and he sighed, recognizing his mother's resoluteness.
"Come in, mother."
Narcissa's eyes wandered through the room, stopping at the lunch before she finally settled them on him.
"Your fiancée is rather concerned with the fact that you haven't taken a meal with her in a while."
He stared into her blue eyes. It was moments like this that he swore she could drag every thought out of him without even trying.
"What's wrong with this one now?" She sat in the chair across from his desk and gave him a look of interest.
"She has a name."
"Do you know it?" Narcissa fired back without a thought and Draco would have strangled anyone but her for this kind of question. He stared at her for a moment longer instead.
"She is clingy. All this talk about the wedding and children's names she has picked out." He rolled his eyes. When he thought honestly about it, he simply was a complete arse, because at this point the only enjoyable thing about Ashley was the sex.
"What exactly would you want her to talk about? Let's not forget she is 18 in a country far away from home. She is supposed to marry you by the end of the year and expected to bear the next Malfoy heir." Well, there was the confirmation for the arse theory.
"Who I will certainly not name Egypt, Dakota, or Edward as a girl name." His eyes were colder than they should have been, he was well aware, but it didn't seem to border his mother.
"I heard those names are a new trend among the American society." Her hand pulled his newest drawing towards her: "I supposed choosing a fiancée from overseas comes with these kinds of new ideas."
He didn't answer. He knew his problem with Ashley was rather nitpicky but he had no desire to go into the real issues he knew he was having with her. He hadn't intended to be engaged to her.
"Well, she is also rather naïve or can't keep up an intelligent adult conversation. Nor can she take care of girl Richard or Denmark after they will be born." He could see her amusement as she used the wrong names on purpose. "So just get us all out of the misery and call it off."
He stared at his mother, who now traced the lines on his work with her finger.
"I swore to myself that I would accept your wife no matter what. Now I know I might have failed Lucia at this, but Ashley… She is by far my least favorite."
He rolled his eyes before he gently pulled the parchment back on his desk.
"Let me guess, Granger is still on the throne?"
"Hermione was the cleverest and certainly the most fit to run the estate, although we both know even under different circumstances, she would have no intention of doing so." She had the decency of not mentioning that she also felt they would make an adequate couple on the intellectual level as well as looking lovely on Christmas cards together. Instead, she stood. "I liked Lucia and I tried to get along, even if you and she disagree with that." He really didn't, it had been Lucia's paranoia, but this wasn't the moment. "And I do like Ashely, she just is not the future Mrs. Malfoy."
"She couldn't have provided an heir."
Narcissa stopped in her movement and caught his eyes. He didn't have to say that he was completely ignoring her last point and talking about Hermione again.
"What makes you say that, Draco?"
They both knew very well that she had had the girl tested by the family healer after Voldemort announced his crazy plan. The healer had assured her that there could be as many healthy heirs as the young couple wished.
"Gossip has it that Weasley and she aren't able to conceive."
His mother was quiet for far too long. She studied him and he was almost certain that she figured out the true reason why he knew about this. However, Narcissa didn't voice her discovery, instead, she just smiled.
"This gossip must come from someone as uneducated as your future wife, my dear. Healer Gramberger wouldn't give us such a false diagnostic."
"Maybe things changed."
"Maybe she is not ready."
He raised an eyebrow at her. Was she suggesting that Granger had Weasley hoping every month while she still took the potion? If that was the case, he would have to congratulate her on this plan. But he didn't think she had it in her.
July 2004 – Hermione
She had been startled when the head healer over her shift had announced she had been specifically requested for the treatment. While she had finished the basics of her education, she still felt she had much to learn and prefer to work with one of the older healers to do so.
Hermione took a deep breath before she opened the door to the patient's room and stopped when she saw who it was.
"Hello, my dear." Narcissa's smile was warm.
"Narcissa, are you okay?"
"I slipped on the stairs and just wanted to consult a healer whether my treatment was sufficient." She had lifted one of her feet, indicating that's where the pain was. The younger witch was almost positive that the diagnostic would come up empty. However, she had learned to play along and decided to she would give Narcissa the chance to say what she wanted to say.
After the diagnostic, she performed a small strengthening charm that wouldn't hurt a healthy foot.
"You might want to be careful on this for a few days."
Narcissa waved it off, already standing on it again. There was a silence in the room. One that indicated that the older witch was about to play her full hand of cards at once.
"Tell me Hermione, my son and you, how close did you get while under the bind?"
This was not, what she had expected to be asked today. The younger witch coughed and she could feel her cheeks burn involuntarily. She hurried to turn away from her former mother-in-law and grabbed the charts to record her results.
"That's what I thought."
Hermione closed her eyes before she inhaled. She had no idea how she should respond to all of this and she certainly didn't know where it came from.
"You still wear the necklace."
Her hand automatically reached for the pendant, but she didn't hold onto it. She hadn't worn it for a while, but ever since the fighting over not existing pregnancies and babies had become more permanent, she needed the comfort the stupid thing still gave her.
"I was told to consider it a gift." She realized that wasn't really answering the underlying question.
"You should." Footsteps followed and then Hermione was alone in the room, her mind going a hundred miles an hour trying to figure out what this weird visit had meant.
August 2004 – Draco
He sent his broom into another direction chasing across the fields. He hadn't been flying for a while and it wasn't surprising how freeing it was now. Every so often he decided on a spot as a snitch and chased to it, just to stop at the last possible moment.
When he finally entered the Manor he was happier than he had been in months.
"Is she gone?" His mother glared at him. "I'll take that as a yes."
With a wink of his wand, he sent the broom flying back to its closet, before he asked Roks to bring him something to drink.
"It's the first and the last time that I will assist in moving a devasted girl out of the Manor."
"You said to get rid of her."
Narcissa stared at him. Roks bringing his water was a welcome distraction.
"She was in love with you."
"See that's where I disagree, she was in love with being in love with me. Maybe even with the Manor, the title, the fact that she would get married after all."
"You should have told her no in February."
He choked on his water. He had no idea his mother had known.
September 2004 - Hermione
"Is it healthy for this to happen so fast?" She had been able to tell by Ginny's face that you didn't ask that when being told your best friend was pregnant, again.
"It is a bit earlier than we had anticipated, but they will be best friends growing up." The redhead had beamed at her and she had resolved to smile and hug and congratulate.
She was staring at the fire now, completely oblivious to her husband working on his small work station. He was developing for George. Her hand was fingering the pendant of her necklace. The pregnancy news had shaken her more than she cared to admit, especially when it came to Ron. Their test had been negative again, which she hadn't told him yet. She knew they were now on the same timeline as last year. Being pregnant by November was required for their child to be in the same year as the second Potter baby.
She caught her sigh before it came across her lips. She really did want children, just not now or next year. Her thoughts went back to this afternoon as they had been at the Potters, Ron cooing over James and ecstatic about the new baby.
"This IS so unhealthy. Must be the Weasley breeding genes." Hermione almost fell off the couch at the sound of Malfoys voice in her mind. "Shit." She felt him retreat. Her eyes went to Ron, as to check if it had been him after all. Malfoy wasn't even supposed to be able to do this anymore.
October 2004 – Hermione
She was sitting in a chair, in front of Healer Goodwin's desk. She still wasn't pregnant and just to put a rest to the constant reminders that something could be wrong with them, she had agreed to do this. Ron had been tested in another room and was now anxiously pacing behind the chairs.
"Ronald sit down.", she snapped. Her nerves got the best of her.
He glared at her but didn't reply as their Healer finally entered the room. The man-made a big show of shuffling through the files, repeating all the information she already knew and finally cutting to the point.
"It appears that there is a complication in the magical traces involved."
"What does that mean?" She could practically feel Ron's anxiety tip over.
"It means that while you might both be perfectly capable of having children with someone else, together it appears to only have a small chance." He paused. "If you were ever to get pregnant, there would be a high likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth, or even medical issues for you Mrs. Weasley."
She swallowed her comment on her last name, trying to work through the information she had gotten. So there was something wrong with them. At least it was them. She was sure it would have been more devastating if it had just been one of their faults.
"Is there a treatment?" She hated how hopeful Ron's voice sounded.
"This is not something that happens very often. It would take healers working on magical traces to really find out, what the problem is."
Sixth-year as divorcees
November 2004 – Hermione
"This is not my fault." The negative pregnancy test was still lingering in the air.
"Well the only explanation is the bind and…" she didn't hear the rest of his ramblings. He might as well have slapped her across the face. Tears shot into her eyes. She didn't choose this. She didn't choose to be left behind in the house she was tortured in, she didn't choose to be married in her sleep, she didn't choose to have parents, who didn't remember the last seven years of her life, she didn't choose to have to force herself to love her husband, she didn't choose to have her life ruined by all this.
She did choose to be married to Ron. She chose to ignore the little signs that the bind might not be completely gone and put all her love into this relationship. She did choose to deal with her parents every Sunday and try to explain why she had gotten older and married. She did choose to ignore the fact that she was still some threat to the wizarding world and couldn't even visit her husband at the ministry.
Ron was staring at her and she realized it must be her turn to yell. She opened her mouth before closing it again. After she tried a couple more times she took out her wand, which caused him to back away.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ronald." She glared at him before she summoned her beaded bag and took floo powder from the fireplace.
"What, running to your ex-husband's mother to cry about me." She bit down hard on her tongue to not really throw a hex at him.
"Grimmauld Place" with that she stepped through.
Christmas 2004 – Draco
"This son is not how you will bring the Malfoys back into the good grace of the public eye." Did he know how crazy his eyes looked? "The gossip has even made into Azkaban. Apparently, her father is some important figure in the United States magical counsel.
"That's how I met her." Narcissa's hand gently touched his back, to remind him to swallow down the anger.
"Which would have been perfect, hadn't you send her home crying to the world about my mean son." Draco stared at him. He could hear his mother's voice, but he wasn't comprehending her words, as his anger kept bubbling closer to the surface.
"Listen, I keep telling you to go and see the Greengrass' and the Rosiers about this. They will get you back into the right cycles and have pretty daughters to marry."
Draco closed his eyes. There was a reason why his mind healer made more money after Christmas.
"With let's say Daisy on your arm, you only have to be a bit generous to the wizarding world, maybe St. Mungos needs some new equipment…" He stopped listening again. It was finally a nudge from his mother that made him aware that he was expected to answer.
"Her name is Daphne."
"What?"
"Daphne and Astoria Greengrass. If you fancy me marrying one of them, you should get their names right." He could tell by Lucius' face that he was walking on very thin eyes.
"And since we are on that. I won't marry either of them. I will be focusing on work and if along the way my image improves, so be it. But I won't be wasting my time, trying to fix our name, who you have very much ruined on your own. One cannot follow a mad man, try to kill a good portion of the magical population, host the mad man in his house and expect everyone to just forget. You can go and fix it when you get out of here."
He stood and made his way to the door. "And before you start on her, no this is not mother's fault." With that he left the meeting room, to pace the waiting area until his mother returned a few minutes later.
