A/N: Hey all! Thanks for the reviews… ummm… I am on holidays as I write this- the joys of a laptop! Well… I am going to get on with typing listening to Man Eater by Nelly Furtardo.
DISCLAIMER: Only the plot people.
Chapter FiveThe next three weeks passed with everyone falling into a routine. Harry and Ginny decided to complete their honeymoon after Lucius was defeated. Hermione went to work everyday and out with Oliver nearly every night, much to Draco's hidden disgust. Ron worked most days and some nights. Luna came over the days and nights he was off and was contemplating moving in. Draco spent his days bored. He wandered through the house but stayed away from Ron and Hermione's bedrooms. He didn't want to step into Ron's room, but Hermione's he was curious about. She always left the door shut meaning he'd never even had a glance inside it.
Walking out of the bathroom after a shower he heard Hermione say goodbye to Ron as she headed to work. Walking over to the stairs, Draco looked down them and saw Ron head over to the lounge room with Luna. Within seconds the sound of the muggle box floated up to him. This was it. This was his chance. Draco crept over to Hermione's bedroom door and opened it slowly biting his lower lip in case it creaked.
Thankfully it didn't. He walked in and looked around the room. It was immaculate. The bed, perfectly made, the furniture, not one bit of dust. The floor was spotless as well. Draco walked in and craned his head to the side frowning. Something was sticking out from underneath her pillows. He walked over and glanced over his shoulder. Seeing no one or hearing no one, he pulled the thing out. It was a leather bound book. On the front were the words, "Personal Journal".
Draco opened it and saw the date for four years ago.
'Today was the best and worst day of my life. Today I buried the love of my life and also found out that I am pregnant. The child is no doubt Draco's. How am I meant to deal with all of this? I want to cry and scream at Draco for leaving me… and yet I want him to be here holding me and telling me everything is going to be okay. That I have to have faith…'
The entry carried on for four pages about how she was going to cope with everything. Draco had forgotten about Hermione being pregnant with his child. He skipped ahead to the entry written in angry looking writing.
'He did this. I know it. He may be dead and buried but even I know he didn't want me to have his child. How could he? It wouldn't be a PURE BLOOD! I hate him now. No… no I don't. I'm just angry. I've lost my family, my boyfriend, and now my baby. What else could possibly go wrong? Loose my life? HA! I'm already dead inside, killing me physically wouldn't really change much.'
Draco let a deep breath. Well that was a side to Hermione he had missed witnessing. Even he hated himself for making her go through this alone. It wasn't fair on her at all. He scanned ahead, reading good and bad entries from her graduating and then getting a job in the…
"Department of Mysteries?" said Draco softly, "Whoa… that's hu-"
"Having a good read?" came a cold and angry voice.
Draco turned around slowly and swallowed a lump at the sight of Hermione standing at her bedroom doorway holding her cat in her arms, "I-I… sorry."
Hermione placed Crookshanks on the ground and walked over to Draco snatching her journal from him. She pulled her wand out and instantly Draco backed away, but Hermione tapped her book vanishing it to another hiding place.
"Didn't I say stay out of my room when I stated the rules?" asked Hermione coldly looking at Draco in anger.
"Well… I was curious," said Draco lamely.
"Curiosity killed the cat," muttered Hermione collecting a file from her dresser drawer before turning back to Draco, "Out, now."
Draco walked out ahead of Hermione sheepishly. She shut the door behind him and pulled her wand out tapping the handle to lock it with a strong charm.
"This is a warning," she said glaring at him, "Go into my room, or Ron's and I will have you sent somewhere else."
"Okay, okay," he said with a sigh before saying with a soft voice, "Sorry for not being with you when you lost the baby."
"Shut up," snapped Hermione before leaving with a crack.
HD
Hermione walked down the corridor to the Department of Mysteries and was reaching the door when she heard her name yelled. She turned around and half smiled at the sight of Harry coming towards her.
"Hey," he said hugging her hello, "You alright? You seem tense and upset."
"He was in my room!" she fumed, "Reading my journal!"
"What? Who? You live with two him's."
"Malfoy! I left for work but realized I'd forgotten my file. I went back to get it and there he was, in my room reading my journal."
"That little ferret!"
"I know. I turn my life upside down for him, move back to the last place I want to be and there he is reading it. Some payback after all I have done for him."
"I'm sensing that's not all he has done to upset you."
"He brought up… he brought up the miscarriage."
"Oh."
"He apologised for not being there… I didn't want to hear it at the time. I was beginning to trust him again. And then he goes and pulls a bloody stunt like that!"
"I think you need too calm down. Go to work and do whatever you do… then when you finish go back home and maybe have a talk to him… or someone else who will listen."
"What about you?" asked Hermione, "I mean, I trust you and you listen."
"I know. But Ginny and I have a family thing on tonight remember? I'm sure Ron told you about it."
"Oh yeah. The monthly family dinner."
Harry nodded. He hugged Hermione goodbye and went back to work. Hermione turned and continued up the corridor. She made it into her work area and continued working on her spell. She had worked out most of the kinks and was on the home stretch. Excitedly she began working through the second last kink, finding the errors and correcting them. Many people had the belief that creating a spell was a simple use of creating a word and working out what it could do. That was part of it, but the creator had to work out the dynamics of a spell.
"How is it going, Hermione?" asked her boss, Boris, a man with grey hair and pale blue eyes.
"I am almost there," smiled Hermione, "We can then test it on the bug of choice, Sir."
Boris nodded, "Excellent work, Hermione."
Hermione smiled as she wrote the answer down to the kink before starting on the final one.
HD
"So, Draco," said Ron handing him his cup of coffee, "You do realise tonight you will be home alone with Hermione?"
Draco nodded, "I do."
"You do realise that after nine tonight Oliver will be coming over?"
"I do."
"Then you won't act like a prat?"
Draco looked at Ron in surprise, "What makes you assume I'd do that?"
"Oh, come on!" cried Ron looking at Draco in disbelief, "You still love her and it's obvious. You watch her move about this place without her noticing. You hide your smiles at her corny jokes. Only a man in love would laugh at those jokes."
"Yeah I love her, but that doesn't mean I'll act like a prat tonight. Oliver makes her happy and because of my love for her, I want her to be happy."
Ron nodded slowly, "Alright. But between me and you… for some reason I get the feeling that Oliver isn't everything he makes himself out to be. Harry still talks to Angelina and she said the reason she left Oliver wasn't for work entirely, but mostly because Oliver was still all about Quidditch. What we are seeing is probably him trying to get in really good with Hermione."
"Basically, once he gets her in good he'll go straight back to Quidditch and expect her to keep the bed warm."
Ron nodded, "Don't say anything to Hermione though. Just let things bide for now."
"Alright. But if he hurts her…"
"You'll what? Not be alone in that area?" replied Ron standing and heading to his room, "I have paper work."
HD
"I did it!" cried Hermione as she apperated into the entrance hall of her home, "Ron! I did it!"
Ron came running down the staircase grinning at Hermione happily, "You completed the spell?"
"YES!" she cried hugging him tightly, "I did it… I am so pleased with myself!"
Ron laughed and let Hermione go, "I haven't seen you this happy since… well never mind that. Anyway, this calls for a celebration dinner. Tomorrow night. You me, Ginny, Harry, Luna, and Oliver all go out for dinner. I'm sure Narcissa can look after her own son."
Hermione nodded, "Sounds good. I'll tell Oliver tonight. So shouldn't you be getting ready for the family dinner?"
"Yeah I should," chuckled Ron turning and heading back up stairs.
Hermione smiled and headed into the kitchen turning on the radio as she did so. The sounds of the musical band of Bond began playing. The song, Victory, was a favourite of Hermione's, which Draco noticed as he entered the kitchen for a drink and found Hermione dancing around getting dinner ready. He stood watching her, an amused smirk on his face as she hummed the tune bending down to get a pot from under the sink, only something caught Draco's eye.
The bare skin showing on her back as she bent had what looked to be a tattoo on it. Hermione stood and turned around humming still, but she stopped at the sight of Draco.
"What?" she asked frowning.
"Nice tattoo. I assume you got it in the past four years?"
Hermione's hand flew to the small of her back, "It's a butterfly… in my parents favourite colours- blue, purple, yellow and green."
Draco nodded, "Can I get a drink?"
"Yes. You know where the cups and tap is," muttered Hermione chopping up some onions, "It is spaghetti bolognaise for dinner."
Draco just nodded drinking his glass of water. He watched Hermione cook for a bit and then left to go find something else to do.
"Oliver is coming over tonight," said Hermione before he exited the kitchen, "He is staying the night as well."
Draco felt his body go tense but he nodded and continued walking out of the kitchen breathing deeply to remain calm. As he walked up the stairs Ron was coming down them.
"You all right?" asked Ron noticing Draco's posture and deep breathing.
"Perfect. Did you know he is staying the night?" muttered Draco, "Not only do I have to listen to them be all… romantic, I have to hear him making her scream his name!"
"You have too-" started Ron.
"Let her be happy. I know. It is hard all right? When you love someone… you want to be the one making them happy."
Ron nodded and Draco continued his way up stairs. Ron watched him for a few seconds before walking down stairs and into the kitchen. He looked over at Hermione and saw her standing still with the chopping knife in her hand poised over the onions.
"What are you playing at?" hissed Ron angrily walking over to Hermione, "I told him Oliver was coming over, but staying the night?"
"Can't I be happy?" snapped Hermione walking over to the stove and scrapping the chopped onions in with the cooked mince.
"I never said you couldn't, but your ex-boyfriend is living with us. Your ex-boyfriend who still loves you and is putting up with Oliver because he wants you to be happy!"
"Be happy? So reading my journal is making me happy?" cried Hermione turning to Ron, "Did you know that was where he was this morning? In my room, reading my journal?"
"No I didn't but I am sure he is feeling guilty for it. The guy feels horrible as it is for all he has done to you and I am beginning to think you are doing all of this because you are trying with all your heart to get over him."
"You know nothing, Ronald!"
"Oh no. I've just lived with you for three years, been your confidant for years, but I know nothing."
"I want to be happy! And if shagging bloody Oliver Wood makes me happy than so be it!" snapped Hermione angrily stirring the onion through the mince, "If he can't deal with it then that is HIS issue, not mine!"
"Obviously you've gone deaf as well as naïve, Hermione," said Ron gripping the bench tightly beside her, "He is letting you be with Oliver without any hassles because he loves you. And because he loves you he wants you to be happy at whatever cost it is too him. I'll be home around ten."
Before Hermione could retort Ron left with a loud, angry crack. Hermione turned angrily but screamed as she ran into Draco.
"Merlin!" she cried stepping back, "What do you want?"
"To say sorry again," he said softly, "Reading your journal was wrong. But as I said, I was curious to know what was going on with you, seeing as you don't really talk to me anymore. Also I will spend tonight in my room to let you and Oliver have room without me being a pest. I'm sure I'll be able to deal with that issue."
Hermione felt her cheeks go red; he had obviously overheard hers and Ron's argument. She nodded and grabbed the bag of pasta beside Draco and tipped it into the boiling water.
"Can you set the table?" asked Hermione politely glancing at Draco.
"I don't have any choice," retorted Draco opening the drawer and pulling out two knives and forks.
"Oh not you too!" cried Hermione in aggravation, "You want an argument as well? Go right ahead. I'm ready."
"Who said it was an argument?" replied Draco using Hermione's words from weeks before.
HD
As Draco headed up stairs he heard Hermione greeting Oliver cheerfully followed by a long, noisy kiss. Resisting the urge to go and pound Oliver to pulp, Draco slammed his bedroom door. He flopped onto his bed and closed his eyes. His mind began playing reels of Hermione from four years ago. Smiling at him, hugging him, kissing him… and then that one treasured moment. Draco sighed but stopped midway when he heard Hermione's laugh echo up the staircase and through his door. He sat up and glared at the door before pulling his wand out and pointing it at the door. He murmured a spell that would block out all noise. Fuming Draco yanked off his robes, pants and top before changing into a pair of yellow boxers. As he sat on his bed a stream of pain shot through his body.
His knees buckled underneath him causing him to collapse to the ground crying out in pain. His body tensed up all around him as he rolled on the ground wishing for the pain to end.
And it did, with Draco passing out cold on the ground rolled into a foetal position.
HD
Hermione leaned in and kissed Oliver on the lips softly before he tickled her under the ribs. Hermione pulled away bursting out with laughter before pleading with Oliver to stop. When he did she leant on him to catch her breath.
"Hermione," said Oliver, "Tell me more about yourself… please."
Hermione leant back up and looked at Oliver, her eyes shining with pure happiness. Something she hadn't felt since she thought Draco was dead.
"Well… when I thought Draco had died… I found out I was pregnant," said Hermione softly with Oliver looking at her in surprise, "But two months in I lost the baby. For a year my life… was hell and it basically remained that way inside of me until I finally spoke about it a few weeks back. I would cry myself to sleep every night mourning for all that I had lost. I focus on work a lot… but with you I have something else to look forward too everyday."
Oliver smiled and leaned forward kissing Hermione gently, "I thought I had nothing as well. But now I have you."
Hermione snorted with laughter causing Oliver to look at her confused, yet amused, "Sorry. You just sounded corny."
Oliver grinned, "Corny, my dear, is my specialty."
Hermione laughed and kissed Oliver, causing both to fall into a deep, passionate kiss. Their arms wrapped around each others body, running up and down trying to explore what was hidden by their clothing all at once. Hermione leaned back and looked Oliver in the eyes. His brown eyes met hers, full of longing lust.
"Not here," whispered Hermione, "Ron's due home… the bedroom."
Oliver nodded and they both stood up. Hermione ran up their staircase holding Oliver's hand as they went. She unlocked her door hurriedly and pushed it open, pulling Oliver in before shutting it behind her and locking it again. Oliver spun her around and pushed her up against the door as he began kissing her wildly. His lips ran down her neck as his hands slid down her body and found the button to her jeans…
HD
"Draco?" said Ron knocking on his door frowning at Luna who stood beside him, "Draco, man?"
"Maybe he's asleep," said Luna stepping closer to Ron, "It is quarter to eleven."
"No," said Ron shaking his head, "Draco never goes to bed before midnight."
Ron turned the doorhandle and pushed it open. He stepped in and swore loudly seeing Draco on the ground still in the foetal position.
"Luna! Go get Sirius. Tell him it's urgent and to bring his kit of medical supplies," said Ron quickly.
Luna nodded, looking at Draco in shock before apperating away.
"Draco," said Ron moving Draco carefully onto his back. He shook him gently and slapped his face in a bid to wake him, "Draco! Wake up!"
Ron checked his pulse and breathing, finding everything was normal. Ron stood and ran out of the room over to Hermione's door. He banged loudly.
"Hermione! Get out here now! It's urgent!" yelled Ron before running back to Draco's door and into the room. He knelt down beside Draco again cursing Hermione for not thinking of checking on him. A minute later, Hermione came running over to Draco's door finishing doing up her dressing robe. Upon seeing Draco on the ground passed out and ran around to his other side and dropped too her knees.
"Where is dear Oliver?" asked Ron coolly.
"Asleep," snapped Hermione, "He has Quidditch training all day tomorrow."
Ron rolled his eyes and checked Draco's pulse and breathing again. Hermione looked at Draco worriedly, taking hold of one of his hands absently.
At that moment Sirius ran into the room with Narcissa following.
"Oh, Draco!" cried Narcissa as Ron moved aside for Sirius.
"He's breathing and has a pulse," said Ron, "I can't get him to wake up."
Sirius nodded and opened his kit. He pulled out a vial labelled, 'Sense Awakener'. He uncorked it and held it under Draco's nose. Instantly Draco jerked awake looking around him confused.
"Wha-what's going on?" he asked groggily.
"You were passed out on the floor," said Ron, "I found it strange that you weren't answering your door when I came to see how you were."
Draco sat up, but felt his hand being held. He looked down at it and saw Hermione holding it. His eyes met Hermione's just before she pulled her hand from his.
"I was worried about you," muttered Hermione.
"Sure you were," snapped Ron, "More worried about missing out on a shag."
"Enough," said Sirius firmly looking from a fuming Ron to a glaring, yet blushing Hermione, "Draco, do you remember what happened before you passed out?"
"I was hit with this… this immense pain… and my whole body locked up and then it all went black."
"Maybe Lucius knows where we are," said Ron thoughtfully.
"He couldn't," replied Hermione frowning, "The secret keeper of this place is Remus and I know for sure he wouldn't tell a soul about it."
"If it's a once off thing," spoke Sirius, seriously, "We won't have to worry about it. But in case it does happen again I'll leave this Sense Awakener here."
Sirius handed Draco the vial and closed his kit. Narcissa looked at Draco with worry evident in her eyes.
"I'm fine Mum," said Draco with a sincere smile.
Narcissa nodded, "All right. But if you fall ill I'm coming straight back to look after you like I did when you were little."
Draco nodded and Narcissa left with Sirius.
"Well Luna and I are going to bed," said Ron with a sigh, "You all right, mate?"
Draco nodded and Ron left wrapping an arm around Luna. Hermione stood up from the ground as did Draco.
"Umm… if something was wrong why didn't you call for me?" asked Hermione confused.
"Well you probably wouldn't of heard me. And if you did you would've been to interested in snogging your boyfriend."
Hermione sighed, "Draco-"
"So I am Draco again?"
"Look! I was mad at you!" cried Hermione, "You'd run off letting us think you were dead! But when I saw you lying there…"
"What? What did you think?"
"Nothing," said Hermione firmly, "Have a good sleep, Draco."
Hermione turned and left the room and shut the door behind her, blinking back tears. She leant on the door and closed her eyes. She knew what she had thought when she'd seen him passed out on the floor. She'd thought she had lost the love of her life.
A/N: There ya go… something happened. Anyway please review!
Until next time…
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