Ah, busy weekend at an end, and therefore you get another chapter. Read and Review!
Hermione walked down Diagon Alley with Minerva, grinning like an idiot. A daughter. She was having a little girl. For one moment, when the doctor pointed to the small figure on the screen and said 'it's a healthy little girl', Hermione did not think about how this baby had come to be. For one moment, she was left breathless at the sight of the small life growing inside of her.
Minerva had suggested they go get lunch, her treat, to celebrate. As per most of Minerva's actions anymore, Hermione found herself examining the woman's invitation from all angles, trying to decide if it was merely a friendly, platonic lunch date, or if Minerva might be hinting at a desire for something more. Shaking her head, Hermione reminded herself that she had other priorities right now, and that despite the fact that she couldn't seem to get the older witch out of her head, she needed to focus on...her daughter.
The pair ate a quiet lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, and then decided on a stroll though Diagon Alley before heading back to their respective residences. Hermione knew that despite having her priorities set in order, she would treasure each moment with Minerva, regardless. If someday, their relationship led to more, they would both look back on this time without regret. Hermione felt certain that even if Minerva was feeling something, she would not show any sign until things were more settled.
"I can't help but feel excited about it all," Hermione confessed out loud as they walked, hoping Minerva would understand what she meant; that she couldn't help being excited despite the fact that this was only happening because of something horrible happening to her.
"I know," Minerva nodded. "I admit, I feel much the same, and I'm not the one having the baby. This child is a precious gift, despite that she only exists because Lucius...speak of the bloody devil."
Hermione watched Minerva tense, and grip her wand, and upon looking up she saw the cause of the older witch's distress. There, not five yards away, in front of one of the Alley's several Potions shops, was Lucius Malfoy, talking to his son Draco. immediately, the younger witch tensed as well, though her feelings were more of fear, while Minerva was emanating pure rage.
"Hermione, wait here," the Headmistess ordered, as she stalked toward the blond man. Hermione, too afraid to go closer to Lucius to disobey Minerva's directions, stood still as a statue, watching the scene unfold.
"Lucius Malfoy, you son of a bitch," Minerva snapped, loud enough for Hermione and anyone else nearby to hear. "I'm going to kill you for what you've done!"
Both Malfoy's were quick to respond, drawing their wands in defence posture. Hermione watched as Draco's wand flew out of his grip. "Hey! What the hell?" he shouted.
"Draco, my quarrel is not with you, but if you don't back away, I will blast you into next Tuesday," Minerva stated crisply.
Draco, to give him some credit, did back away, leaving his father to face down the great Minerva McGonagall alone. Hermione had never credited her former classmate with an over abundance of balls - he was a coward if there ever was one, and Minerva was well known to be deadly in a duel. "What the hell did you do, Father?" he asked the older man.
"Nothing, Draco, nothing that it wasn't my right to do," Lucius drawled, lowering his wand ever so slightly. "Am I correct in thinking, Minerva, that you have a bone to pick regarding a certain mudblood who recently visited my Manor?"
"DON'T CALL HER THAT!" Minerva yelled.
Hermione had never heard her former head of House yell. Not truly. She'd been hard pressed to recal a time where Minerva had even raise her voice. The woman just didn't need to do that in order to control her classroom.
"Did your little pet Gryffindor come crying home to her beloved Professor?" Lucius sneered. "What did she tell you?"
Hermione had slowly been moving closer, so by now she was close enough to hear what Minerva's reply was, however quiet.
"She said you raped her. Just as you did me, all those years ago," Minerva hissed.
Lucius laughed. "Of course she did, but just like you, she has no proof. You can do nothing. The word of a mudblood is nothing next to me, even with the Dark Lord gone."
Hermione chose this moment to speak, fearful that Minerva actually would kill Lucius after calling her that again. "Oh I have proof, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, brown eyes blazing. "As I am pregnant with your child, and have already bottled my memories of the day in question and stored them somewhere safe. I think I shall send them to the Wizengamot this evening."
You could have heard a pin drop in the seconds that followed. Hermione figured all three who'd heard her were in shock. Minerva had not known that she'd safeguarded the memory of the assault, Draco had just been told there was proof his father was a rapist, and Lucius had just seen his world crashing down before his eyes.
"Get rid of it," Lucius finally choked out. "I'll pay any amount."
Hermione laughed at him, feeling Minerva's hands resting on her shoulders, in silent support. "Oh no, I am keeping this child. You can go to hell and take your money with you."
Lucius glared, and then Apparated on the spot, leaving Hermione and Minerva alone with Draco, who had not spoken since Hermione's revelation.
"Granger," her blond peer said finally, "I will be owling you this evening with some of my own memories, which I believe will assist you in your case against my father. Further, upon his now inevitable incarceration, I will be the Head of Malfoy House, and I swear to you that I will do all in my power to insure that my younger sibling is raised without need or want of anything.
Now, it was Hermione's turn to be shocked, though she was certain Minerva was equally surprised. Draco Malfoy did not wait for a response before Apparating away, leaving the two woman alone, wondering what exactly Draco's memories might unveil.
I really love plot twists, as you can tell. So, what do you think is in Draco's memories?
