Summary: Hermione and Draco suffer a loss on a rainy day. Warning/Trigger: This story is about a miscarriage. If this bothers or offends you, please don't read.

Disclaimer: This is a work of (fan) fiction using the world and characters of Harry Potter belonging to J.K. Rowling. Only the plot belongs to me.

Rating: T

Genre: family/hurt/comfort

Characters: Hermione G., Draco M., Lucius M., Narcissa M.

A/N: This story is AU and OOC. - Reviews not necessary but always welcomed!

Let It Rain

The rain was coming down at a furious pace; a constant deluge that didn't show any signs of stopping. Hermione could hear it as it hit the window and shivered.

It wasn't anyone's fault. The healer had made sure to emphasize that point several times during and after the examination. "These things sometimes happen for no apparent reason." He had assured them. "You are both young and healthy and can try again in a few months." He had smiled at them as he signed some forms in Hermione's medical file. "Make sure you get some bed rest for a few days, Mrs. Malfoy." He had then handed a large vial to Hermione and said, "Take this potion for a week and you'll be fine." He left them in the examining room before Hermione or Draco could say anything.

Hermione slowly got down off the exam table and took off the paper thin gown she had put on at the beginning of the unexpected visit to the new St. Mungo's Magical Birthing Center. After she got dressed, Draco helped her into her cloak and they left, neither one speaking.

After returning to Malfoy Manor, Hermione went up to their room after telling Draco she was going to take a bath before getting some rest. He asked if she needed help and when she had shook her head, he said that he was going to speak to his parents to inform them of what had happened.

Reluctantly, he watched her go on her own before he left their wing to go to his parent's part of the manor.

~ooOoo~

Lucius and Narcissa were in their lounge having tea when Draco found them. He said nothing as he sat down and still said nothing as his mother poured his tea. He picked up the delicate cup and saucer but didn't take a sip. He just held it up, midway as if he was going to raise it up to his lips but didn't.

Narcissa watched her son with the realization that something was amiss. She had watched him for all his twenty-three years and knew when he was upset. He was more than upset, she astutely realized. It was like he was in limbo, not sure of his own state of mind.

She needed to know what was wrong if she were to help him. "Where is Hermione?" Perhaps there had been a spat between the young couple. They often allowed their passionate nature to get away with them and had several spirited quarrels that only lasted briefly throughout their relationship.

Draco looked up at his mother as if just seeing her. He quickly set the cup and saucer down on the table and sighed. "She's taking a bath." He shook his head and reached for the cup again but stopped. "It's been raining all morning." He muttered.

"Draco!" Narcissa's voice cut sharply through the lounge causing her husband to look up from the financial paperwork he had been perusing. "Draco, what is the matter? You seem to be out of sorts today. Is everything all right?" She had not seen her son in this state since during the war when he had nearly collapsed from all the pressures on his young shoulders.

The Malfoy heir looked into his mother's concerned face and his resolve to not cry came close to breaking. "It's Hermione." He stated.

Lucius sighed loudly and gave his son a piercing stare as he spoke. "For Merlin's sake, have you two had an argument again? Can't you learn to not be so disagreeable with your wife?" He was about to say more when he noticed Draco's shoulders start to shake. He looked at his wife helplessly as he had no clue what could make his son, a Malfoy, show such emotion.

Narcissa put her hands upon Draco's shoulders and whispered, "Tell me. Tell me what is wrong, Draco."

The blond raised his face up to look at his mother, eyes shiny from unshed tears. "It's gone, mother. I don't know what happened." He kept peering at her as if he thought she would be able to give him answers.

"What's gone? I'm sure we can find it." Lucius couldn't fathom what was so important that would make his son this unhappy.

A pained moan came out of Narcissa. She grasped her son's shoulders harder and pulled his head to her chest. It seemed to trigger something as Draco's sobs tore through him. "I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry." She soothed as she cried as well.

The only sounds were the cries of both mother and son and the hard unrelenting rain against the windows of the manor.

~ooOoo~

After a soak in the tub, Hermione was sitting on the sofa in the bedroom in front of the fire with a blanket over her. She had a book opened on her lap but had no ambition to read it. She just sat there listening to the damn rain with tumbled thoughts going through her head. A soft 'pop' alerted her that a house elf had appeared. She shifted towards the sound and saw that Tofty was placing a tray on the small side table. "I'se brought tea for Missus Herminny." The little elf said in a more subdued manner than normal. "You'se must have some to feel better." She bobbed a bit as she gestured to the tea and sandwiches.

Hermione sighed and agreed with the elf. She knew that the house elves only meant to be helpful and to serve the family. Their magic was attuned to them and knew when something was wrong. Tofty bowed and then apparated out of the room.

Hermione continued to sit there, lost in her thoughts. She knew that miscarriages happened to women for no apparent reason. She had read enough books about pregnancy to know that even when the expectant mother was healthy with no medical problems a spontaneous abortion could occur. However, none of this made her feel better. She was unsure if she ever would.

The bedroom door opened and shut. A moment later, Draco stood next to her. When she looked up at him, she noticed his eyes were red from crying. His face was pinched and his shoulders sagged in defeat. He knelt on the floor and reached out to push a curl behind her ear, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I've informed my parents and they wanted me to let you know they're here if you need anything." His voice was soft and a bit rough.

She nodded and turned her face into his hand. Her chest ached and her head pounded. The sound of a loud long sob was heard and it took a second to realize it had come from her. Draco encircled her with his arms and pulled her towards him as she finally cried hot bitter tears for their loss.

They remained locked together, grieving for the unborn child that was never to be held by them, never to be rocked and soothed by the loving couple.

As the afternoon wore on, the couple stayed in front of the fire, mourning and they let it rain.

The end