I dedicate this chapter to the critics who gave the film "Black Christmas" only one star. The movie blows! I seriously want the two hours of my life I wasted on that movie back! Ugh...I like horror movies just as much as the next person, but this movie was just...overly gory. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes to watch stupid girls speaking stupid dialogue with a stupid plot, stupid killer, and ugh! I think you get the point.
Okay, enough of my rant - Happy reading!
Complications - Chapter 28
Hermione was staring out the window, gazing at the setting sun surrounding her parent's lovely flat. She remembered growing up in the clean-cut neighborhood all of her life, wishing to get out of the suburban lifestyle nearly each day. When her letter from Hogwarts came she was positively ecstatic. It was her chance to get away, do something incredible.
Now? Now all she wanted to do was go back to that innocence, a time when Lord Voldemort would have seemed like a name in some cooky telly show. She wanted to not have to worry anymore. When did growing up start to really suck?
A pair of large hands wrapped around her waist which brought her back to reality. Draco placed a kiss on her neck, soft and sensual, muttering sweet nothings to her. To say they had a row the night before would be an understatement. He was upset for her leaving the house the way she did, convinced that she had apparated to visit Ron. Apparition during pregnancy is just such a high risk and she had done it without a second thought, on the grounds of visiting her friend - so he thought. Hermione had not apparated, nor would she tell him the truth about her actual means of transportation, but she had been brought back by an Azkaban official. If Draco found out she had visited Lucius...she shuddered to think what would happen. So, instead of being honest, she fibbed quickly saying she visited Ron and he had brought her back by broom. By the time she got those words out, the damage had already been done.
The whole ordeal ended with Draco sleeping downstairs on the sofa, not wanting to sleep in the guest room down the hall, and her crying most of the night, absolutely petrified over everything that Lucius had said about her baby and her Draco.
Draco had gone upstairs to apologize at around one in the morning finding his heart to break when he heard her sobs. He felt like a total jackass and an unmitigated mug for upsetting her the way that he did, unaware that he was not the reason for her tears. Well, not entirely at least.
When the door opened, she immediately attempted to stifle her sobs and wipe away her tears, though it was rather futile; she was too far gone emotionally to stop it. His soft apologies were lost on her, she neither heard nor cared, but needed him to hold her; hold her, he did.
From there, she cried onto his shoulder until there were no more tears left in her warm body. Trembling, he had lowered them down together, pulling the duvet over the both of them. Her sleep was a restless one, but at least she had the comfort of Draco holding her close, his hand resting upon her bulging abdomen.
The next morning they did little speaking to one another, both ashamed for the hurtful words they had said. Draco felt worse than he thought he'd ever felt in all his time of being with her. Why did I yell at her like that? I never did give her enough time to even speak. I am an ass.
Hermione did not have the luxury of dwelling over their little spat for her thoughts were still on what Lucius had said–
No. He threatened me, plain and simple. He won't hurt us though! I will not let him hurt my family!
All of this had been bothering her while she plastered her face with a fake smile and bonded with her parents. She could not deny she missed them, but needless to say, her mind was still elsewhere. Feeling Draco's warm embrace from behind only brought her back to realize that her day was about her parents and their interaction with Draco. Today was not going to be about Lucius.
"So," said Mr. Granger, merrily walking into the room to sit with the younger couple, "How have you decorated the baby's room? If you do not know the sex of the baby then how did you plan for anything?"
Hermione smiled before she turned around to lean into Draco's chest as she said, "We've decorated the room in silver and gold which represents the both of us. I am a Gryffindor so my colors are gold and red. Draco is a Slytherin so his colors are silver and green. We thought that the gold and silver would be both neutral for any gender and still it would be a part of us."
"That is a very logical answer and I like it," said Mr. Granger, a chipper smile on his face. Actually, he had not stopped smiling since they arrived, a subconscious gesture that Hermione loved.
"Mr. Granger–"
"Draco how many times do I have to tell you to call me John?"
"At least once more," said Draco politely.
With a sigh Mr. Granger said, "Alright. Well, what were you about to say?"
"Are you um...well...are you upset that Hermione was born a witch?"
Hermione jerked her head toward her father, her face contorted with shock. It was a question she had been wanting to know all of her life, she too timid to ever ask such a thing. Her parents had always told her they were proud of her, but that was to be expected given she was the top student. Never the less, the question Draco had the balls to just ask never left her lips, ever.
The two of them watched as Mr. Granger's eyes flashed a few emotions all at once; shock, amusement, and anger. Draco did not regret asking said question because it had been digging at him since they arrived. Truth be told, the question had been digging at him since he was younger, back to a time when he still hated her.
The expectations that either of them had were not found in the sense that Mr. Granger did something unforseen.
He laughed.
Hermione looked from her father to Draco, his face showing an expression of puzzlement, one which matched hers.
"If I say yes," began Mr. Granger, his voice still filled with amusement, "then I would be lying. If I say no then I would be lying. I am both happy and unhappy about her being a witch."
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione curiously.
"When you received that letter...I was initially shocked, but who wouldn't be? I was discovering a different world and one I could never understand. I still don't for that matter. All I knew is that Hermione was special and I would do whatever it took to make sure she was able to understand this world. I think I achieved that."
"You did," breathed Hermione, his words getting to her more than she realized.
"Seven years went by and suddenly she was a witch. She grew up, beautifully I might add."
"I'll second that," said Draco with a smirk. Hermione swatted him playfully before returning her gaze back to her father whose expression of amusement had dwindled into a somber one.
"Then you met that Alan. We never met the man nor did he make an attempt to do such a thing. Your letters were so frequent explaining how wonderful he was and how you could not have been more happy. Your happiness means a lot to us," he said genuinely.
"I know," sighed Hermione, tears threatening to spill over.
"Out of nowhere, we discover that you're getting married. You told us nothing of a wedding or of a honeymoon or of anything. The letters just stopped and so did we."
To say that Hermione's heart was breaking would not do any justice. Draco could literally feel something inside of her fall way as her knees buckled against him. Had he not been holding her so tight, she most likely would have fallen to the ground.
"Six years without my daughter...I don't think we've ever been so miserable. We didn't know anything about where you were or what you were doing so we just assumed you were happy living your life. I guess we had to or else we would have cracked. Something had to give us hope of your safety and happiness. If I knew the truth...well I don't think I'd be alive today."
Draco felt her stifle a sob into his shoulder. He could obviously feel and sense how hard this was for her to hear, but he was afraid that she needed to hear it, just as much as Mr. Granger needed to finally say it.
"Hermione I love you so much and seeing you for the first time in years, pregnant and obviously in love...I have no problem with you being a witch. It stole you from me for a long time, but I think you're happy so then it's all worth it. It's always been worth it."
Draco smiled softly as Hermione removed herself from his grip and ran into the open arms of her loving father. Draco never saw a man smile with such contentment in all of his life.
"Dinner was amazing Mrs. Granger, thank you," said Draco, his stomach nearly bursting; in a good way.
"Dear it was my pleasure and please call me Kathy."
"I can't get the man to call me John so do you really think he's going to call you Kathy? I bloody well think he's too polite for his own good. You need to be much more laid back if you want to fit in with us Draco."
Draco laughed as Mrs. Granger began clearing up the plates.
"Mum let me help with the dishes," said Hermione, attempting to stand up with her very full tummy.
"Dear no! My goodness I am not going to have a pregnant woman help me do my dishes," said Kathy forcefully.
"Mum I'm a witch, remember? I'll be done in a few minutes time, barely lifting a finger I might add."
Just as quickly as she said, the dishes began washing themselves. Mrs. Granger watched with wide eyes, the impossible sight before her seemed positively mind blowing. Mr. Granger walked with Draco out of the kitchen to take relaxation in the living room, though Draco had to admit that Mrs. Granger's face was nearly too entertaining to leave.
It was not long before Draco and Mr. Granger were speaking on friendly terms about their plans with the future child. Draco was laughing enthusiastically until there came a familiar tapping at the window which Draco recognized as the sharp pricks of an owl's nails.
"What in the world?"
"Don't worry, it's probably for me or Hermione," said Draco, striding toward the window to let the impatient bird inside. Draco stroked the owl affectionately after taking the small, dark colored parchment from the glass vial attached to its leg.
Draco opened the later addressed to both him and Hermione swiftly.
Draco and Hermione–
I feel terrible for interrupting your dinner with the Granger family, but Ron is returning home from Romania today. We've got some news to discuss with everyone and Harry and I thought this would be the perfect time. Anyways, everyone is gathering at our home at around seven, but if you drop by much later then it would be perfectly understandable. Hope to see you guys soon!
-Ginny
Draco felt as though he had just been hit in the head with a bludger and thrown off his very own broom when the words started to sink in. The man had been mad before, but he was downright furious, desperately wanting to hear something good from Hermione.
As if Merlin destined for it, Hermione came into the room smiling next to her cheery mother. A crease formed above her brow, the smile fading almost instantly when she saw the expression on Draco's face.
"Something wrong?"
He held up the letter as he muttered, "You tell me."
"I have no idea. What's going on?" asked Hermione, truly confused.
"This is a letter from Ginny and she mentioned something interesting Hermione." Draco's voice was placid and unlike some who would find his voice to seem serene and almost friendly, she found it threatening and patronizing.
"And?"
"Ron is currently in Romania."
Oh bugger me...
"I just...Hermione give me a good explanation for why you lied to me."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at the scene before them with ogling eyes. The two felt uncomfortable yet continued to stare and pry into the life of their daughter, refusing to leave her side for even one moment. The tension in the room was mounting with each progressing moment.
"Um...this is not the time nor the place to discuss this and–"
"You're right," interjected Draco, "This is not the time or the place, but you brought this on yourself. We will discuss this now so tell me why you lied to me."
"Draco you're being ridiculous and–"
"Tell-me-why-you-lied-to-me." Draco's voice was so low and dark it could send chills up any death eater.
"I lied because I knew you would act like a prat the way you are right now. We-will-discuss-this-later," replied Hermione, her tone mocking the situation.
"Where were you?" asked Draco, ignoring everything that Hermione just said about waiting for the talk.
"Draco I don't want to fight and–"
"You don't lie to me. You never lie to me so that must mean this is bad. I don't like this so just tell me where the hell you were." Only Hermione caught it; a hint of fear in his voice.
She eyed him nervously trying to come up with an appropriate way to approach this–
Screw appropriate. He is either going to explode or go very silent so either way this is going to end badly. I might as well just tell him. No, my parents are here and...well, he is going to explode anyways so it might as well be here. Bugger me...
"Um...well I uh..."
"Please," whispered Draco, his voice trembling, "Just tell me, Hermione."
"Azkaban."
"WHAT?!"
"I think you heard me," said Hermione, her voice low and meek. Even though she expected for Draco to react in the manner that he did, she always found herself jumping at the sound of his raised voice.
"What the hell were you thinking? First of all you shouldn't have even gone there, but to go there without me is absolutely crazy! What could have possibly made you go there?!"
Silence
Silence
Silence
"Merlin...Lucius. You went to see Lucius."
A crystal tear slid down her cheek, his voice breaking every inch of her heart. He had not raised his voice nor did he have a look of anger on his face; he just said it. Somehow it hurt her to hear his soft voice than to hear him yell in anger.
"Who is Lucius?" asked Mr. Granger, breaking the extremely uncomfortable silence.
"My father," muttered Draco, shame rising up. He turned around, the urge to look away from Hermione sweeping over him. It was one thing for him to go see his father, to see the man that hurt him for years upon years, but it was an entirely different thing for Hermione to do that. In a way, it was like a breech of trust.
"Draco–"
"I'll see you at home," he said calmly.
"Drake don't–"
"I'm angry at you Hermione. I...Look I need to just be by myself for a little bit. I'll apparate and you use the floo."
"Don't leave like this–"
"Hermione I will see you at home. I apologize Mr. and Mrs. Granger for this. Tonight was lovely and I hope that this doesn't change your impression of me."
"No dear, not at all," said Mrs. Granger quietly.
"Hope to see you again and soon," chimed in Mr. Granger.
Hermione grabbed Draco by the arm as he moved past her, attempting to leave. He was not returning her gaze, hurting her to the core.
"Draco please–"
"I told you that I will see you at home. Now remove your hand," he said faintly.
As soon as her grip lessened, he moved away from her and apparated instantly. Hermione looked down, feelings of guilt and anguish sweeping over. Something in the back of her mind told her to leave him alone, to stay with her parents for a while longer, allowing him to come to terms with the feelings that were plaguing him.
She didn't.
She should have.
She didn't.
Draco apparated back to his home and blew up instantly. He yelled, punched a wall, screamed out his fury to open, empty air as his hatred for his father flowed out of his body. Yes, he was very angry.
What caught him off guard was how he was not sure where is anger was directed; entirely, at least. He knew he was mad at his father, unbeknownst about the grounds for why exactly, but mad none the less. Yet, in the back of his mind, he was mad at Hermione.
She lied to me. She never lies to me and she did, to go see my father at that! She lied to–
SWISH!
Bugger me...
"Draco?"
He turned around to face Hermione, her clothes lightly encased in ebony soot, expression remorseful. Unlike other times when he would find himself battling the urge to immediately forgive her for whatever problem she had stirred, the familiar feeling was not there. He was angry at her and that was the bloody well way it was going to stay.
"Please talk to me," she whimpered sadly.
"What would possess you to do that? What the fuck would possess you to go see my fucking father, the...bloody bastard of a father, in prison without me knowing?! What the fuck was going through your mind?!"
Tears were threatening to pour out in buckets, but she fought them back, the need to stay strong in front of him countering the impulse to cry. The silver eyes, normally shining with happiness or desire, were seething in red rage by the sight of her. She could tell this...and it hurt.
"I got a l-letter and..."
"And?" he asked, his voice unforgiving.
"And it was from your father. He said he wanted t-to see me and I took advantage of that."
Draco shook his head, his eyes leaving her to stare up at the dark ceiling. It was plain to see from her standpoint that he wanted to lash out–to scream at her–but he remained calm. Well, as calm as he possibly could.
"Well...what did my dear father have to say to you? I mean I'm already mad and I know that you went so I think I have the right to know what he said to you. I doubt you did much talking, right?"
"Right," she sighed softly, "You're right. I didn't say much and you're right in that I listened as he spoke. He spoke a lot and it doesn't matter. It doesn't fucking matter."
That was it.
That was when he first realized she was more affected by what had happened than she let on.
Precisely why he softened both his expression and tone, the need for her to talk to him, not at him, taking over.
"What did he say to you?"
"Draco I told you it doesn't fucking matter. You were right. Is that what you want to hear? Well then here it is, here is me saying it! You-were-fucking-right!" she screamed, the floodgates opening.
The heart in his chest tugged at the sound of her sobs. The stress this was putting them under was nothing they needed and on top of that, she had to think about their child presently growing inside of her.
In spite of it all, he could not bring himself to stop. He had to know what his father said to put her in such a state.
"What did he say to you?"
Silence
Silence
Silence
"Hermione?"
"He's going to hurt us. He said he would hurt our baby if it was the last thing he ever did because...because..."
She could not say. Suddenly she could barely breathe, let alone speak, hyperventilating while her arms snaked around her sides; to protect her. With all of her might she tried to gain a solid breath, enough air to allow her to breathe normally, but she could not. Blood was rushing to her head making her feel extremely woozy, her vision blurring, her mind–
Draco reacted with the same grace and agility he had back when he was the Slytherin seeker. It had taken him a few moments to regain his own balance after she muttered the words, words which would forever scare the bloody hell out of him, before he realized what was going on. Hermione was starting to have a fit, a panic attack abruptly taking over her body.
It was then that he saw her falling, about to land on the ground, hard–
He caught her. Draco scooped her up in his arms before she had the opportunity to land on her belly, something which would have driven him to madness. He held her in his arms, whispering soothing words into her ear while she sobbed uncontrollably, refusing to let her go.
"Shhh," he whispered, "I'm right here. Nothing is going to happen to you or to this baby. I promise you on my life that you are safe. Nothing will happen Angel, I promise. Shhh, come on, love. I'm right here...I'm right here..."
"No...Nuh...No he w-w-will...f-find a way...t-to hurt us...and h-h-hurt our b-baby...oh Gods...Draco!"
Each word was a stab in his heart, a Cruciatus Curse, a kick to his stomach; because he was scared. He would not admit it to her, certainly not say anything of the sort at the moment, but he did feel the fear in him tensing up. He was scared.
"As long as I have life in this body, nobody will hurt my family. Nobody."
And he meant it.
A/N: Oh no! So Draco now knows! Tell me what you guys think. Sorry if this seems like a filler chapter, but trust me - it is important. I mean, Draco did eventually have to find out.
I want to retract what I said before about Within Temptation not being a well-known band. I sometimes forget that this site extends globally so sorry for that. I guess I should say that the band is not well-known where I live (in the United States). Thanks GentleRaven for pointing that out to me!
"Complications" is by Anne Dudley. The song has no lyrics, but is absolutely beautiful with violins, a piano (which I happen to play! Have since I was eight years old), flutes, and various other instruments. It was featured in the film "American History X" which happens to be one of my all time favorite movies. Not only is Edward Norton amazing with his movie screen charisma, but the moral of the story is so real - "Hate creates more hate". Anyways, I wrote this chapter as I listened to it and it just really fit.
READ AND REVIEW!! If you can read it, then you can review it.
Iris is the work of fanfiction. The characters belong to J.K. Rowling, but the featured story is mine.