-1Still I Look to Find a Reason To Believe

Chapter Fifteen

The next following days had been extremely quiet. With Draco gone, there was really nothing to do, except of course chores which Hermione had finished the first night he was gone. Dakota stayed in the room most of the time and read. Yes, she liked to read. Especially books that involved witches and wizards and other magical creatures. Hermione spent most of her time thinking. She was doing that a lot lately. She had so much on her mind and she was so grateful that Dakota had decided to stay in her room. She hadn't the patience at the current moment to deal with Dakota, even though she was her daughter.

Dakota may have been a young child, but she understood a lot more about what was happening than her mother told her. She could feel it; somewhere in the back of her mind there was something telling her to do something that would change everyone's life forever. At this moment in time, she had no idea who to trust. She trusted Hermione, sure, she was her mother, the woman who had loved her forever. But Draco, he was another story. Dakota wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't sure to trust him at everyone's stake, or to stay as far away from him as possible to protect herself. Sure, he seemed like the father and savoir she had always dreamed of, but something in her mother's eyes when she looked at him, told Dakota that no mater what anyone says, only trust mommy.

It was hard for Hermione too. She was trying to hide it all from Dakota, but couldn't understand, herself,

Draco's reaction. Why was he all of a sudden being so short with her? It made no sense. Hermione tried to reason why Draco might act in such a way, but she couldn't. And the same thought that had been killing her for days came to her mind yet again. Draco would leave. Hermione knew, this time, the moment she said it, it was true. Draco was planning on leaving. He would wait until the baby was born. He was planning to take Dakota and the baby and raise them in the Dark Lord's view. Without love, without a chance to be brought up in the side of light. He was waiting… Just waiting for the right moment.

Hermione knew what she had to do. And she knew the consequences of her decisions if she and Dakota were caught. But she had to. It was her only hope for her and her children. Slowly, standing up, Hermione's mid was rushing before she could even think. She didn't want to disturb Dakota and let her no something was wrong, so she went into the bathroom and gathered up the products from there first. She pulled out a Slytherin duffle bag from Draco's closest, knowing for sure he would have one.

Then, she went into her room, where Dakota was currently sleeping. Slowly and quietly, Hermione when through the small piles of clothes the two had and placed only the ones that would be absolutely necessary to bring. Then, after that she did the same with other small necessities, a few story books and one or two toys that Dakota had learned to love. She placed them all in the bag struggling to get the bag shut. When she finally did, she put her shoes on and woke Dakota.

"Hmm?" Dakota answered as her mother awoke her. "Dakota, sweet heart, its time to go." Hermione said, whispering as though afraid someone would hear her. She pulled Dakota's coat off of the door handle and began putting it over Dakota, who was still trying to wake. As Hermione zippered up Dakota's jacket, Dakota asked, "Where are we going?" Hermione pulled Dakota's shoes from underneath the bed and said, "Away from here."

Dakota began rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when she stood up. "Is Draco coming with us?" She asked softly, watching Hermione tie her shoes. "Not this time, sweetie." Hermione told her, finishing tying her shoe laces and looking up to see his cold grey eyes staring straight at her, and saying, "Awww. But I love trips."

Hermione could say anything, no words would come, and instantly Dakota new something was wrong. Draco had an evil smile on his face, one that told Hermione that he knew exactly what she was planning to do, and told Dakota that she'd better stay out of the way. Draco stopped smiling and walked quickly over to Hermione, grabbing a handful of her hair in his fist. "Up." He said, as he practically pulled and dragged her out of the room, locking Dakota in it the moment he and Hermione exited. Dakota began crying as she ran over to the door, struggling to pull the knob open and banging as hard as she could on the door. And between the bangs she screamed, through tears, the words, "Don't -you -dare- hurt-my-mommy!"

A/N: Alright, I updated. I know its been a long time but sometimes I can't get to the computer and other times when I do get to it, I can't manage to get the motivation to type anything… Anyway please review, and I will TRY to have the next chapter up by next week! Happy Thanksgiving!