"Granger? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Draco called through the rain. What was she doing in the middle of the road? He went closer and saw that she was unconscious. He picked her up and put her in the back of his car. He went to the driver's seat and drove to the Malfoy Manor, checking once in a while in the centre mirror, to see if Hermione was alright.
"Sadie, how was dance class?" Narcissa asked her granddaughter.
"It was fun, grandma." Sadie sighed.
"Honey, what's wrong? You seemed sad ever since you got back." Narcissa asked, sounding just as worried as Draco.
Sadie thought about it. Maybe her grandma could help her find a good companion for her dad. She looked around, hoping that her dad was not at home. "Is dad at home?" she asked Narcissa.
"No, he's out." Narcissa replied. "Why?"
"I'm worried about him. I don't like seeing him so alone, grandma. Then, on the first day of dance class, I saw Ms. Hermione. Dad told her what granddad used to do to you and him that he used to hit you with his cane. He would never tell that anyone, but he told Ms. Hermione. And then, he even apologised to her for being so mean at school. He would never say that to anyone, not even Uncle Blaise, or Aunty Pansy. I thought that Ms. Hermione would be the person to bring happiness back to daddy, but then, I found out that she's married, and so, she can't be with dad. Now, I don't know where to find someone else for him because he sure wouldn't find a partner for himself. Can you help me, grandma?" she asked hopeful.
"Of course, my dear. But it's going to be difficult. You know, I had always thought that Hermione would be good for him, but I guess now, that can't happen." Narcissa sighed.
"Don't worry, we will eventually find the right companion for our Draco." Narcissa assured her. Sadie clasped her grandmother into an embrace. Narcissa hugged back.
Just then, Draco arrived with Hermione in his arms, still unconscious.
"What happened?" Narcissa asked.
"I don't know, mother, but she's drenched head to toe from the rain. I don't know how long she has been outside." Draco frowned.
"Put her down, dear. I'll check her temperature." Narcissa told him. Draco put Hermione on the sofa. He was about to sit on the armchair when he felt something tugging onto his shirt. He looked to see that Hermione had gripped tightly onto his shirt and was not letting go. Draco attempted to unfold her hand, so that he could be free from her grasp, not that he didn't like this.
After a few tries, her grip loosened and she let go. Draco sat down in the armchair, next to the sofa, and waited for his mother to check her temperature.
Narcissa smiled at Draco, who just blushed.
She chuckled and placed her hand on Hermione's forehead. She frowned.
"She has a high temperature. We need to get her cooled down, immediately." Narcissa said. She conjured up a small blue vial, a white towel, neatly folded into a rectangle, and a bowl of cool water. She placed the things on the table, then took the small vial and pours all its contents into Hermione's mouth. She got the white towel and dipped it into water, and then squeezed it to remove the excess water. She placed it on Hermione's forehead and left it there. She then turned to Draco.
"I have given her some potion. With the towel, it needs to be dipped into the cool water every ten minutes, so keep doing it until her temperature resides. You can check that placing the back of your hand on her forehead, if she's still hot then continue with the water and towel, but if it's not too hot, then just wait for her to come back to consciousness." Narcissa instructed.
"I'm guessing you'll do that yourself, to do you want me to call Glacy?"
"It's alright, mother, I'll do it." Draco said.
"Of course, Draco." She smirked. "I am sure you will." She sniggered.
"Mother!" Draco said, but his cheeks were flushing.
"Alright, alright." Narcissa chuckled. "Dinner's ready. Do you want to come to the dining table, or do you want Glacy to bring it in here for you?" she asked.
"Urm..." he glanced at Hermione. "I'll be right there."
"Okay. Oh and you might want to wet the towel again." She smirked and turned to leave.
Draco got right to it. He drenched the towel with the cool water, squeezed the excess water and placed the towel on Hermione's forehead.
"Is Ms. Hermione alright?" Sadie asked, having observed in the background.
"Yes, she will be. Draco's taking good care of her." Narcissa smiled.
"Aw! Daddy likes her so much!" Sadie said excitedly.
"Shh. Daddy will hear." Narcissa warned, but chuckled at her granddaughter's excitement.
"Maybe we won't have to find someone else for daddy anymore." Sadie said.
"Maybe, dear." Narcissa said.
"What's going on here?" Draco asked, coming from the living room.
"Nothing." They said in unison quickly. They looked at each other and laughed. Draco stood there confused as to why they were laughing.
They all had their dinner in silence, with Narcissa and Sadie sharing glanced across the table once in a while.
Hermione woke up slowly, out of her consciousness. She rubbed her eyes, the bright light too intense for her. She then recollected what had happened a few hours ago. Ron had cheated on her. How could he do that to her? She had given him everything, all the love he could ever hope for. Wasn't it enough? Tears finally escaped down her cheeks, refusing to stay back.
She looked at her surroundings and came to the realisation that she was not anywhere recognisable. Where was she? She spotted images perched up on the walls, and walked towards them. Maybe she could find out where she was by the pictures.
The hint of blond hair was becoming closer. She finally was close enough to see who this house belonged to. Draco Malfoy. He must have brought her here. She continued to look at the photos. There was one which showed him, Sadie and Narcissa smiling. They seemed to enjoying themselves; judging from the background, they were at the park. She smiled; they looked so happy. She looked at the next photo. It showed Draco and Sadie next to another woman. She seemed very familiar to her. The jet black hair, the porcelain skin, sea green eyes; this had to be Astoria Greengrass. She didn't seem too happy beside her husband and daughter. She went to the next picture. Astoria had her arms wrapped around a man Hermione couldn't quite pin point. She looked happier with this person than with her husband, who seemed to be standing apart from the two.
"I'll go check up on Hermione." Draco informed and left the table.
He entered the living room and found Hermione looking at the family photos. He walked up to her and saw what she was looking at. He frowned. He hated that photo. Why hadn't he thrown it away?
"That's Theodore Nott, the person who's next to Astoria. They were very close friends." Draco said.
Hermione jumped, startled by his voice. She stumbled back, but Draco's arms wrapped around her waist, keeping her stable. She immediately became lost in his eyes. She could detect but sincerity in them.
Draco stood her up properly. Hermione cleared her throat, flushing red.
"Where's Astoria? If I may ask." Hermione said quietly.
"She uh eloped with Theo." Draco answered.
"Oh." She frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"It's okay." Draco smiled weakly. "Are you hungry?"
"Very." Hermione said, placing a hand on her stomach, which grumbled, demanding for food.
"Okay, let's go." He chuckled. "There's plenty of food at the dining table." Draco said. Hermione followed him. What she saw completely left her at awe. There were mounds of food on the table; the table didn't even seem visible below.
"Hi, Ms. Hermione!" Sadie beamed.
"Hi, Sadie." Hermione smiled back. Hermione was unsure if she should sit, but Narcissa insisted.
"Please, sit down. Take whatever you would like." Narcissa said, with a welcoming smile.
Hermione hesitantly sat down and grabbed whatever she could get her hands and started to eat until her stomach was satisfied.
"What happened, dear? Draco told me you were standing on the middle of the road, soaking wet. Is everything alright?" Narcissa asked.
"It's..." Hermione choked on her words, tears now falling down her face again.
"It's alright if you don't want to say anything. I understand." Narcissa said, placing a hand on Hermione's.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled. "Um...I think I'll be leaving now. I will see you on Saturday Sadie." Hermione stood up.
"I don't think that's a good idea. It's raining very heavily outside, Hermione. It could be dangerous, considering that you had a high temperature a few minutes ago." Narcissa insisted.
"It's alright, Mrs Malfoy. I will be apparating to the burrow." Hermione informed.
"Why don't you floo there, Hermione? It will be safer. Please, I insist." Narcissa said.
"Alright." Hermione smiled. "Goodbye, Mrs. Malfoy." She turned to leave.
"Please, call me Narcissa." She smiled. Hermione smiled back and entered the living room.
"Hermione, what happened? Ron just came and asked if you had come here. Is everything alright?" Ginny said.
"He cheated on me, Gin! With Lavender!" Hermione cried.
"What?! Come on." Ginny lead her to where Harry and Ron were.
Ron stood up when he saw Hermione enter. "Hermione, I'm-"
"Save it, Ron. I don't want to hear it." Hermione interrupted.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, brother." Ginny said angrily.
Ron, not wanting to suffer from Ginny's wrath, started talking.
"You still shouldn't have had an affair with her anyways, Ron! You were married, and with the fact, so was she! She's nothing but a lying bitch. Don't you remember at Hogwarts, she had always spoken lies about Hermione! Always! And you went to her?! After all that Hermione did for you?! You idiot!" she shouted at him. She may have been the youngest of the clan, but she was the strictest and the loudest.
"I know, and Hermione, I'm sorry for that. Please, will you forgive me?" Ron asked.
"I'm sorry, Ron, but I can't." Hermione said. "You were married to me, but you still thought it fine to sleep with another woman. How can I forgive you so easily? I trusted you, Ron, but now, you have broken that trust." Hermione cried. Ginny embraced her best friend, comforting her,
"But I-"
"It's best if you leave, mate." Harry suggested.
"But Harry, I didn't know she was married! I swear! Hermione please! I want to make it up to you!" Ron cried while being ushered out of The Burrow.
"Then, just...just stay away from me." Hermione said.
"Hermione! Please! I'm sorry!" Ron was ousted of the house.
Harry closed the door behind him and went back to his wife and best friend.
"Where had you gone then, 'Mione? When you left the apartment?" Ginny asked.
Hermione explained how Draco had found her unconscious on the road and taken her to the Manor. How he helped her with her temperature. Even that Astoria had eloped with Theodore Nott, leaving Sadie in the hands of Draco.
"Well, thank goodness you're alright." Harry said.
"Poor guy. I mean, he had been nothing but a selfish git at Hogwarts, but still, he didn't deserve to be betrayed like that." Ginny said.
"To be honest, I thought Astoria loved him. I mean, it was evident at Hogwarts anyways." Hermione remembered.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to ask you. How's the dance class going?" Ginny asked.
"Oh, great. That's how I had first seen Draco. He had brought Sadie for dance lessons." Hermione said.
"Well, at least it's going good." Harry said.
"Hey guys, you don't mind me staying here for a few day until I find my own place, do you?"
"What kind of a question is that? Of course you can stay, 'Mione." Ginny said. "You're always welcome at The Burrow."
"Where's James, Albus and Rose?" Hermione asked, not seeing any sign of them.
"They went to sleep over at Lygar's" Ginny said.
"How are they? It's just a few days until they leave for Hogwarts, isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, they're leaving on Friday." Harry replied.
They all then parted to their bedrooms and went to sleep.
"Goodnight, daddy." Sadie said.
"Goodnight, princess." Draco kissed his daughter on the forehead and left, switching off the light behind him.
Getting to bed, he hoped that Hermione was alright. He wondered why she had been standing on the middle of the road, soaking wet. He was going to find out. In one way or another. She seemed really upset and he was going to find out why. Whatever or whoever had hurt her was going to regret ever breaking her heart.