Thanks so much to those who have reviewed so far, I really love to hear from you. Here is the next chapter, please enjoy.
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Upon returning home after their lunch with Harry and Cho, Hermione went to the library without a word to Draco. He made his way slowly down the hall to his study. His legs took him the long way, past the library. Keeping his gaze locked firmly ahead of him, he hurried past the large double doors which happened to be open.
He was just past the doorway when he heard a sob. It made his heart skip a beat and swell so he found it harder to breathe. So, simply because there was nothing else he could possibly have done at that time, he stepped through the doors.
She was sitting in one of the armchairs facing him, a small pile of books at her feet. He was sure she knew he was there, he could see tears running down her face and only every now and then did he hear a sob or sniff.
"I didn't know you were going to be here." She whispered. Her voice, her words, her face; everything! It made him feel so guilty that he thought of excusing himself to throw up the lunch they just had.
"I came because I heard you crying." He said awkwardly, stepping closer.
"I wasn't planning to." She told him.
He sat cross-legged at the base of her chair and placed a hand on her knee, "Hermione." There was more breath in his words than voice.
"Your mothers manor is pretty big." She told him with a ghost of a smile.
He leaned forward to swipe a tear from her cheek; an uncharacteristic show of affection. "It's not as large as this one."
"No." She agreed, neither said anything for a long time. Hermione wondered what he was doing here if he didn't care. Was it just to make it seem like he did? No, he must be here for her because he wants to be. "I couldn't sleep last night."
Draco looked up at her weary features, "I don't think either of us has been sleeping well recently."
She reached down and placed a hand on his, "how have you been?" It seemed like such an innocent question but not one either of them should have had to ask.
"It's been hard and I hope things will get better." He told her honestly.
She smiled, "you do?"
"Hermione," He paused, showing some discomfort but continued, "I never intended for any of this to happen, and I certainly don't want you to live apart from me."
"I don't really want to; it's not good for our child either."
At the mention of the baby Draco's eyes travelled down to Hermione's stomach and a shadow of hesitation flickered over his features. It was all it took.
Feeling a rush of hurt that was becoming all too familiar recently, Hermione swiped his hand away and ran from the room. "Hermione!" she heard him call after here, and he was following her but she found the apparation point and disappeared before he could stop her.
"Merlin, what is wrong with me?" Draco growled angrily at the air where Hermione had just been.
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By the end of the week, someone had spotted their separation. Draco was trying to eat something before going to the office when he read the article in the prophet.
What Goes Up Must Come Down
Draco and Hermione Malfoy caused such a stir early last year when they announced their engagement. The couple has previously been identified as enemies and rivals. Shock was the public reaction to their sudden couple status and in the months that followed, their relationship was under much scrutiny. Despite doubts however, their marriage seven months ago confirmed that they were indeed in love. Malfoy reputation and fortune soared to unbelievable heights since then, much to the surprise and amazement of everyone.
The newly-wed couple sought to claim not only the Wizarding world but also the muggle world. They are at the utmost high of any couple, living in a fantasy world far from us all. But what goes on behind closed doors?
Recently, Draco Malfoy announced he would not be playing the following three matches for the International Quidditch Team. This sparked some interest but any comments were waved aside as he claimed he had "other matters to take care of" before returning to the quidditch scene.
Adding to the suspicions that the Malfoy's are hiding something is the fact that Hermione Malfoy appears to have moved out of the grand Malfoy Manor. She has been spotted for several consecutive days returning to the home of Nacrissa Malfoy; her mother-in-law.
As Minister of Magic she has made many public appearances but of late she appears to hardly leave her office and there have been claims she cancels her appointments regularly.
Her husband still resides in Malfoy Manor but appears to also have taken a great liking to his office. "He is not at his best." Malfoy's close business advisor told us. Perhaps then this is an indication that the impeccable Draco Malfoy we have seen lately is not really his true self? That after receiving much acclaim and restoration to high status, he has no more need for his muggle-born wife? It is a question many ask though there appears to be no straight answer.
The Malfoy's are still jointly raking in the galleons at a rate never before seen; they live in a state of luxury even if it is apart. In their private lives, they appear to be crumbling after an unbelievable high.
Many believe that because the Malfoy's have reached as high as they possibly can, it is time to fall back down, hard and fast – with a huge bang.
What little appetite that had been present disappeared after reading the article. Draco cradled his head in his hands and let out a small groan of frustration. This unravelled hard and fast. He had no doubt the story would get out when Weasley had come to his house demanding to see her.
"She's not here." He answered calmly.
"Where is she? Why didn't she reply my owl?" Ron asked, a hint of danger in his voice.
Draco looked carefully at him, "She's not staying here."
"WHAT?" Ron yelled, looking around.
"She moved out." He said quietly.
Ron approached him until they were less than a foot apart, "what did you do?"
"I-" and for once Draco was speechless, in front of Ronald Weasley no less. "We-" He died off again.
Ron took a step back, sensing Draco's uncharacteristic behaviour, "you guys had a fight?"
"Yes, you could say that." Draco said, looking calm once more.
"She moved out of this giant mansion because you guys had a fight?" Ron continued, eyeing Draco suspiciously.
The blonde man sighed, "it's more complicated than that, but believe me, I didn't want her to leave."
Ron breathed deeply, "so she's left?"
"Yes." Draco said, his voice slightly unsteady, "she's gone to stay at another manor."
"By herself?"
"She has some house elves." He told him.
Ron began to pace, "what were you guys fighting about?"
"Something." Draco answered, looking down his nose at Ron who scowled.
"What did you do?"
Draco gaped, "me? Why is it automatically my fault?"
Ron pointed an accusatory finger, "of course it's your fault; she wouldn't have caused such a stir!"
"Just leave Weasley; you're not part of this." Draco turned to leave.
"I'm her best friend, I have a right to be a part of this!" Ron replied hotly.
Draco turned around to face him, a cool expression on his face, "well I'm her husband so I have a right to tell you to bugger off."
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The situation between them was spiralling out of control, it had escalated to a level it never needed to be at. He had to do something instead of sitting here and living life like it would be alright soon.
Fetching a house elf to get his robes and writing a quick not to let the office know he wouldn't be there, he promptly flooed to Nacrissa's Manor.
He was greeted with a silent home, it was clean and felt lived in, but barely. An elf came to greet him and take his coat which he handed over absent-mindedly before asking where Hermione was. The elf didn't know and quivered under Draco's gaze. After a moment he strode out of the room and began his search.
Draco located her in the gardens, sitting on a white bench and staring into the distance.
"Hermione?" He said and was surprised to see her jump. "Are you alright?" He asked, sitting beside her.
She nodded, "yes, I'm fine." But he knew she was lying. Her frame was unnaturally frail, her skin pale and even though she was coming on 3 months pregnant, she looked more as if she had just gone on a crash diet.
"This has gone on long enough," he said firmly, "it has to stop."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "on what terms?" she finally said, looking up to meet his eyes.
"Stop treating me like I don't care!" Draco burst, standing up abruptly, "there are no god damned terms! I just want you back." His voice was swallowed by the flowers around them, leaving the two figures in silence.
"I'm so tired Draco." She told him, he noticed her slight hesitance before she spoke though and surprisingly, it hurt.
He gathered her into his arms, savouring the feeling after such a long separation, "come home." He told her gently, "we'll get through it."
She turned her head into the crook of his shoulder and leaned heavily against him, although, he noticed, there was hardly any of her left. After a long time she looked up, "I'd like to go back."
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Hermione seemed to be in a dreamy state as Draco took her inside and lay her down on the bed. She didn't seem to notice as he removed her shoes and propped her up on the pillows. "I read the Prophet." She said with a frown just as he was about to leave. "I have served my purpose to you?"
Draco took a deep breath and steadied his trembling hands on the door knob. "The Prophet is wrong." He said to her, "you shouldn't believe why they write."
She looked at him although her expression was distant. "I feel rather lonely."
Draco turned and went to sit on the edge of the bed. She took him hand in hers and promptly fell asleep.
He looked down at their hands and then up to her pale face. This was one of those tender moments where he was supposed to kiss her and tuck her in; something disgustingly sentimental. But he didn't feel a warm pleasant feeling, instead he felt rather angry. Angry at the Prophet for their article which would no doubt spark much unwanted media attention but mostly, he was angry at himself for allowing his pride, insecurity and fear cause this.
Why had he been so difficult all over a baby? Fear of being a father shouldn't have gotten in the way of his love for her.
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Well that is the next chapter, thing are beginning to mend even though it is tough at the moment. Please review and let me know what you think.