A/N: Thanks as always to TectonicTigress & TriDogMom for their supreme Alpha skills. For those of you interested, as promised, a separate one shot titled Berkano has been posted to show the night Hermione & Draco got together!
Lounging next to the pool under the blazing sunshine Hermione took a moment to appreciate where she was. They had arrived at Blaise's château a few days ago and Hermione was still struggling to get used to the breathtaking views. From her spot next to the pool all Hermione could see was the lush rolling green hills and clear blue skies. From the balcony of her room, Hermione could see the quaint village nestled a few miles south.
Closing her eyes Hermione relished the feel of the sun on her skin. It had been so long since she had felt the warming rays caress her. Realising, somewhat bitterly, that the last time she had felt this serene was on her honeymoon with Ron. They had vacationed for two weeks in Greece soaking up all the sights and sounds, truly relaxing for the first time since their fifth year at Hogwarts, it had been blissful. Until that was, they came home, upon their return Ron had begun the most intense part of his Auror training, leaving him tired and irritable. Hermione had always hoped once his training was over her loving husband would return. It turned out that hope had been in vain.
Thinking of Ron reminded Hermione of their pending divorce, she knew Draco had brought the divorce papers with them. Having spied them in his bag when they first arrived, part of her felt it was too sudden and rushed. Yet the other part of her wanted to just sign the damn things and have it done with. She had been trying to dismiss what Ron had done to her, but it was inexcusable. As a fully trained Auror, he knew there would be consequences to breaking the bonds. Even if she hadn't had her accident and nearly lost all of her magic, he would have been arrested for breaking them unlawfully. His brash actions had almost killed her and her babies. Hermione knew the man she once loved was no longer there, but letting him go when he'd played such a major part in her life was a daunting task.
Rubbing a consoling hand over her bare skin where the twins nestled between her hips, which Hermione often found herself doing now, her thoughts turned to Draco. Draco had been superb these last few days, hell, Draco had been damn near perfect for the last year. Since leaving the hospital after their kiss Draco had been attentive to Hermione's every need and always within sight.
Not that she needed or wanted to be waited on hand and foot, but the extra attention felt nice. "Your daddy is a good man," Hermione whispered to her stomach, keeping her voice light so Draco wouldn't hear. "He's done so much for us already, just because he wants to. He's always there for us, little flickers."
It felt strange to be referring to Draco as daddy, they weren't a couple and definitely hadn't been trying to conceive the night they slept together but, here they were, expecting twins. Whilst Hermione still wasn't thrilled her contraceptive potion had failed— a curiosity to consider another day— she wasn't as terrified as she expected to be. She wasn't lying when she said Draco was always there for her, them.
For instance, right now, Draco could be found in the pool. His blonde head gliding through the water as he completed his customary hundred lengths, smiling at Hermione everytime he swam past. Since they had left the hospital, Draco hadn't stopped smiling. Initially, Hermione had wondered if he'd overdone a cheering charm but it seemed he was just that happy with their situation. As Draco finished his workout, Hermione watched as he gracefully climbed out of the pool, grateful for her sunglasses concealing her stare.
It was just so distracting watching his muscles ripple as he braced himself against the wall, lifting the rest of his toned body from the water with ease. Biting her lower lip Hermione felt a blush creep across her cheeks, she wasn't sure if it was the hormones or their increased proximity but she had not been able to keep her eyes off him.
Every time Draco moved, Hermione found herself watching where he went, fascinated by his natural grace and poise. Once or twice Hermione had even found herself openly gawping at him as he strolled around the place topless before she hastily caught herself and buried her nose in the nearest book. Now was no exception, Hermione watched as Draco walked towards her, his sun-kissed skin glistening with water droplets as they trailed down his delicious defined muscles.
Looking at Draco as he stood in front of her, Hermione felt her heart begin to pound as heat crept into her cheeks. Damn him and his shorts! Hanging off his hips in that way. She wanted to trail her tongue against his solid muscles and taste the water on her tongue, she had to fight the urge to follow the line of his muscles all the way down to look there. Feeling a little light headed, Hermione wrenched her gaze to Draco's face, confused to see he was smirking at her.
"Did you hear anything I just said?" Draco asked as Hermione squirmed on her sun lounger, trying and failing to act nonchalant.
"Umm, no," Hermione replied a little breathlessly, she really had to get a grip on herself. "Sorry— what's up?" Ugh, why had she said what's up? Her flustered state had her babbling nonsense, she felt no better than a hormone driven teenager, drooling over some picture in a magazine.
"I wanted to know if you would like to go to dinner with me?" Draco asked smirking as he watched Hermione's eyes rove his body again, she was so obvious. "Tonight? Blaise said there's a great little restaurant in the village and it's all Muggle."
Having heard a bit more of the question this time Hermione answered Draco, trying to keep her voice steady. "That sounds lovely, what time?"
"Shall we say seven?" Draco inquired as he picked up the towel next to Hermione, drying his face off before he looked back at her.
"Yea," Hermione said a little dreamily, following Draco's hands as he moved the towel to dry the rest of his body. "Sounds great."
Watching as Hermione's eyes trailed over his body, again, Draco laughed. Placing the towel around his neck casually he leaned down to whisper in Hermione's ear, "you know I can see your eyes through those glasses right?" Noticing Hermione freeze next to him Draco chuckled. "It's ok you know, I watch you too."
Leaving those words hanging between them, Draco kissed Hermione's cheek before sauntering off inside to shower. He was thoroughly enjoying having Hermione around and he had big plans for their date tonight.
Hours later, a still frustrated Hermione stood in front of the mirror trying to comb out the knots in her hair. Releasing a low growl Hermione yanked her hair into three separate parts and braided it, throwing it over her shoulder before turning to the wardrobe.
Staring at the clothes Draco had neatly arranged for her, Hermione pondered what to wear. Was tonight a date? Or was it just a dinner between two friends? But were they just friends now? Trying not to overthink the situation, Hermione settled on her light blue summer dress, due to the floaty material it was one of the few things which didn't need a charm to fit.
Slipping it over her head Hermione smoothed her dress down over her stomach, pausing as it fluttered. Looking at her own confused face in the mirror Hermione rested her hand on the swell of her stomach, was it just nerves about tonight or was it something more? Turning to observe herself in the mirror, Hermione flattened the material of the dress against her bump. Yup, she definitely looked pregnant. There was a distinct curve to her stomach now, poking out further than her breasts, rubbing it gently as she looked at herself in the mirror she realised there would be no hiding it when she went back to work. Letting go of the fabric Hermione watched as it settled against her skin, jumping slightly at Draco's voice.
"Don't you look wonderful," Draco marveled as he walked into their room, stopping to fully appreciate Hermione's outfit. "Are you ready?" he asked, offering his arm for Hermione to take like a true gentleman.
Glancing at herself in the mirror one last time Hermione gently stroked her fingers across her stomach before grabbing her cardigan from the chair. Looping her arm casually through Draco's, Hermione replied, "yes, I am starving!"
Hermione stopped a few moments later as Draco pulled out the key to Blaise's sports car. "You're driving us?" Hermione questioned in disbelief, even she couldn't drive and she'd been raised as a Muggle!
Draco laughed, the corners of his eyes creasing as he took in her bewildered expression. "If you think I'm going to pass up the opportunity to drive Blaise's brand new Lamborghini Huracan, you've got another thing coming. Besides, Blaise said I could and it's too far to walk."
"You can drive?" Hermione inquired, she had always intended on taking her test, but with magic, it hardly seemed relevant. Pondering when Draco would have had the time to pass a driving test, she missed Draco's longing gaze at the vehicle.
Draco scoffed, turning his attention back to her as she stood at the entrance to the garage. "Not legally but I know enough. Blaise and I go driving all the time."
Eyeing the car with mistrust, Hermione hesitated, "can't we just apparate?"
"No," Draco replied, walking back over to her to pull lightly on Hermione's now crossed arms. "Minimal magic around you and it's an entirely Muggle village with no apparition points." Sensing her reluctance Draco proceeded to give her his best puppy dog eyes. "Please? Please come to dinner with me?"
Mellowing slightly Hermione unfolded her arms, allowing Draco to take her hands. "Is it safe?"
"I promise you it's safe," Draco assured Hermione, pulling her slowly towards the car, making sure to maintain eye contact. "Do you really think I would put you and our unborn children in danger? It's safer than any Muggle car out there. Blaise has so many enchantments on it."
"Fine," Hermione conceded as Draco's face broke into a smile. He promptly led her to the passenger side of the car and held the door open as she climbed in awkwardly, "you're lucky I'm not more pregnant."
Laughing Draco moved quickly round to his side of the car and slid effortlessly into his seat whilst Hermione eyed him enviously. Putting the key in the ignition Draco moaned with pleasure as the engine roared to life. "Doesn't she sound beautiful?" he cooed, running his hands over the steering wheel.
"Whatever you say," Hermione replied, smirking as Draco grinned at her. Looking away from her, Draco very carefully maneuvered the car from its space before driving down Blaise's long driveway.
"Just listen to her though," Draco enthused as he drove the long winding road to the village accelerating out of each turn to make the engine thrum. "She purrs! It's not my favourite sound though."
"Oh really?" Hermione queried, arching an eyebrow as Draco lightly squeezed her leg. "What is your favourite sound?"
"You saying my name," Draco answered, quick as a flash, causing Hermione to blush. "Well, more accurately, you moaning it beneath me."
Hermione inhaled sharply as Draco placed his hand back on the wheel, her skin tingling from his touch. "Gods, Draco… you… I… I don't know what to say." Hermione stammered as heat from his touch scorched through her veins, if he kept this up she was sure to spontaneously combust.
"Sorry," Draco apologized quickly, biting his lip to hide his smile. "But you did ask. Anyway, we're here."
Hermione looked up, suddenly mesmerised by the soft golden light pouring from the restaurant on top of the terrace. "It's stunning Draco," Hermione whispered as Draco parked the car and stepped out, rushing to her side to open the door.
"Only the best for my lady," Draco replied smoothly, helping Hermione maintain her dignity as she climbed out of the low car.
Hand in hand, Draco led Hermione into the restaurant, speaking to the waiter in fluent French as they entered. Hermione felt her jaw drop as the waiter led them to a table outside looking out over the view.
"It is terribly un-ladylike to sit with your mouth open Granger," Draco teased as he held out Hermione's chair for her.
"I'm sorry," Hermione giggled as Draco took his own seat, leaning in close to hold Hermione's hand. "I didn't know you could speak French, it's rather… interesting."
"I was taught from a young age," Draco replied running his thumb over Hermione's knuckles. "My ancestors are from France, it was important I learned the language."
"I never knew," Hermione smiled looking into Draco's bright eyes. "I feel I know so much about you but maybe I don't."
"You know the important things," Draco confirmed with a kiss to Hermione's hand.
"Do I?" Hermione questioned, her body automatically leaning in to Draco across the small table.
"Yes," Draco answered honestly, his heart quickening in response to Hermione's proximity. "You know the worst parts of me and you know the best." Draco gulped preparing himself for his next words, "Hopefully you know how much I… how much I… adore you, Hermione."
Heart fluttering Hermione stopped breathing, Draco's words hanging in the air between them, "I… I," Hermione stuttered as she tried to find the right words.
"I know it's complicated," Draco began as Hermione nibbled her lip. "Especially with you still being married and the babies but I just— I am so excited. I want to be there every step of the way, I want more than that, I want you, Hermione. Mind, body and soul."
Feeling her stomach swoop, Hermione gripped Draco's hand in surprise, "I swear something just moved inside me." Hermione whispered making Draco's eyes light up.
"Seriously?" he questioned, quickly moving to squat beside her. "Can I?"
"I don't know if you'll feel it," Hermione answered hesitantly, pulling Draco's hands towards her bump and placing them down gently where she felt the swooping sensation.
Minutes passed in silence and nothing happened. "Sorry Draco," Hermione murmured quietly as disappointment flooded his face, reaching out Hermione ran her thumb across his cheekbone looking into Draco's stormy grey eyes. "I want you too," she said softly resting her forehead against his. "I'm just not sure how we do this."
Smiling to himself Draco allowed Hermione's words to wash over him, her scent wrapping around him, "We'll go slow," Draco promised, running one hand up to Hermione's neck as the other gently caressed the small bump. "I want this," he added pressing his lips lightly to hers. "I want this to work."
Staring into his eyes, Hermione felt the air around them ripple, her lips tingling from his kiss as her skin warmed again beneath his touch. Struggling not to get lost in his eyes, Hermione realised how close they were. Each breath bringing them closer and closer together as everything around them faded away.
Their bubble was broken when the waiter arrived at the table, hastily retaking his seat Draco ordered quickly before turning back to Hermione. "There is one small confession I would like to make, Hermione."
"Yes?" Hermione questioned, retaking Draco's hand across the table.
Squirming in his seat Draco worked up his courage, this secret, no one but his Mother and Blaise knew. He felt it was only fair Hermione knew too, but revealing himself in this way, even to her, worried him. Would she be willing to stay with him after he confessed?
"Draco," Hermione whispered, sensing his discomfort. "You don't have to tell me."
"No," Draco replied, his resolve making his words firm. "I do have to tell you. I just… I'm the one who burned Malfoy Manor to the ground. The day they released me from Azkaban. I had to. I had to go back there and I didn't want to."
Withdrawing his hand from hers, Draco looked up at Hermione as she sat there stunned, his eyes pleading with her to understand. "I couldn't face living there after everything that had happened, it was too much. And I had to live there, part of my parole was house arrest. I just couldn't do it. So I burnt it to the ground, watched as the legacy died. I was a wreck when Blaise found me, how he knew is beyond me. But he turned up and took me away. Away from the carnage and misery and checked me into therapy."
Closing his eyes as the sight of the flames danced in his mind's eye, Draco missed Hermione rising from her seat and walking round to his side of the table. The cold empty feeling he had in his chest was replaced by her warmth as she sat on his lap. Holding her close, Draco allowed the memory to play out in its entirety, it had been the one thing he had dreaded in Azkaban, returning to that house, alone.
The day of his parole hearing had arrived quickly, Draco had been both excited and terrified to leave. His six month stint in Azkaban had been one of the toughest experiences he had endured, the constant anxiety combined with the brutality of the guards had worn down any resilience he once had. He knew he would have to face the day alone as his mother was ill, unable to leave their manor in France. And his father, well, his father was set to spend the rest of his days serving as an Azkaban inmate.
Walking into the room, filled with the Wizengamot, Draco had trembled. Not long after his entrance, they had granted his parole and a Ministry officer had Apparated him back to the Manor, setting up the wards to keep him confined, before swiftly departing and leaving him alone. Walking through the dusty Manor Draco was assaulted by horrific flashbacks, in a fit of desperation he had lashed out, setting the curtains in the drawing room alight.
Transfixed by the flames the idea of burning the Manor down overcame him, the word burn repeating with every beat of his heart. A strange sense of calm settled within him as he went room to room casting the Fiendfyre, when the entire ground floor was engulfed in flames, Draco walked out the front door, feeling the wards around the house drop as the cursed fire spread, and continued walking down the long driveway, turning at the end to watch the flames take hold of each floor.
Draco wasn't sure how much time passed before Blaise appeared at his side. All that was left of the Manor was a twisted heap of charred brick, the smoke rising steadily into the sky. They didn't talk, they didn't need to. Blaise was one of the few people who had kept in contact with him, their childhood friendship morphing into something different as Draco had opened up to Blaise. Draco was aware of Blaise's presence and a firm grip on his shoulder before he was Apparated away, landing in a warm neutral room.
Little did Draco know at the time that this would be the beginning of everything.
"After Blaise checked me in and got me settled," Draco began, his voice rough as he struggled to maintain his composure, "he went to the Minister. I don't know how he did it but he convinced them to change the terms of my parole, so I could complete it in the hospital, recovering, instead of suffering at the Manor or going back to Azkaban."
Hermione was suddenly overcome with a wave of gratitude for Blaise and a fierce protectiveness of Draco, so many questions bombarded her mind but she didn't move until Draco had regained control of his breathing, the tight grip he had on her dress loosening as he relaxed. Keeping her hand at the back of his neck, Hermione played with the short hairs there, her nails lightly scratching his skin. She knew something had happened after his release to prompt his year in therapy but she had never questioned what. She had been curious, of course, but it wasn't the type of question one just asked.
Understanding where his change had come from helped Hermione appreciate where he was now. The thought of Draco destroying the Manor was mind boggling, the sheer power it would have taken was incomprehensible.
But did it change how she felt about him? About their situation? Not a damn bit. As Hermione thought that Draco finally looked up at her, his eyes wary. The need to reassure him was overwhelming, Hermione felt tears pool in her eyes as she bought her lips to his ear, whispering. "The man you are today, Draco Malfoy, will make our children proud."
Feeling her breath ghost across his neck Draco held Hermione closer, unable to put into words exactly what it meant to him to hear her say those words. People were so rarely proud of him but here she was, accepting him, reassuring him once again.