I do not own Harry Potter.
I thank my beta, blueskyshymoon. Without her, there would be endless typos.
(Hermione's POV)
I shot Ron an apologetic glance from across the table. As soon as I had walked through the door, the entire Weasley family had been surrounding me as if I was a poor defenseless creature that needed to be protected from any given danger. I didn't see how they had come to that conclusion, seeing as the most dangerous thing here was probably the fork on my plate.
I had allowed Harry to tell Ron what the doctor had told me, fully knowing that he would eventually share with the rest of the redheaded family. I counted on them hounding me with questions, and I had mentally prepared myself for the fiasco that would surely go off the moment I walked through the door. However, I had not been ready for the silence that had taken over the house. Even now, after two hours of mingling, only whispers and silent conversations filled the Burrow.
Whenever I moved, even if I had taken three steps, the Weasley closest to me would move with me. It was as if they had silently agreed to keep a watch on me, only that it was too obvious. I noticed the way they glanced at each other, as if expecting me at any given moment to suddenly burst out in tears.
I didn't think it was fair to Ron that his birthday was ruined due to my condition. All eyes were on me, their faces clearly worried. And now, as we were seated at the table, about to eat the delicious dinner made by Molly, I couldn't help but give wary smiles to the people surrounding me.
The usual cheery house had turned somber, and I was feeling self-conscious. Even the twins were quiet, the usual happy glint gone from their eyes. I wanted to scream and say that I was fine, but remained quiet.
No sooner had I taken the first bite that voices filled the hallway. The two blond figures walking through the dining room doors caused my heart to stop and then restart, going double time. My eyes locked with Draco, my cheeks flaming, recalling our last encounter. He seemed to remember as well, for he smirked, his cocky attitude reflected in that one gesture.
"Draco, you made it."
Ginny's voice was like a bucket of water, my better judgment telling me that it was not good that he was here. Not good at all.
It wouldn't do well that everyone was acting weird around me- he would notice, and then ask questions. Those questions I wasn't sure I could answer. And knowing Draco, he wouldn't go around snooping. No, he would go straight to the problem: me.
I glanced around the table, noticing how everyone seemed to be blatantly staring at me. I smiled at Draco, hoping that would put them at ease. It did, their attention turning back to their plates.
"Come on Draco, dear, let's get you a plate. You too, Adrian. Aren't you just the cutest thing?"
Draco followed a talking Molly to the kitchen, while Adrian made his way towards my side of the table, stopping in between Fred and me.
"Hello there, mate. We've never been properly introduced, but I'm Fred."
"And I'm George," said the other twin next to me.
"Nice to meet you, Fred and George."
I giggled under my breath; Adrian's no-nonsense tone of voice reminding me of a mini Draco.
My giggling caught the Weasleys attention, and it seemed to break the tension in the room. By the time Draco came back with two plates of food, the room was filled with laughter and the usual loudness that accompanied the red headed family.
After dinner I retired outside, bringing Adrian with me. It was calming watching the sun set, the red of the rays clashing with the blinding yellow and light pink waves. The light sweater that I had donned wasn't enough to fend off the chilly air, but I would not move to a warmer place. No, inside the house just reminded me of what I was trying to forget.
I placed my arm around Adrian's form, hugging him closer to my cold body. I could tell he was sleepy, and his head burrowing against my side only served to prove my point. His little hands kept playing with my fingers, an action that had my chest hurting and my eyes glazing over.
At this point in time, it wouldn't do to get attached with a child. An attachment would only prove to be hazardous, a connection that would most likely hurt in the long run.
Too bad I already had a soft spot for to him; my heart had made a special place for Adrian the moment he decided to hug my legs from under the table. And how could I not? He had such a wonderful personality and was unbearably sweet.
I wasn't, in the least bit, regretting attaching myself to the four-year-old sitting next to me.
(Draco's POV)
After sitting for the great amount of ten minutes surrounded by Weasleys, I decided that it was time to politely retreat outside. The appearance of one being winded by mere sitting seemed to satisfy the red bunch, eating up my excuse of being "too stuffed." I stepped outside, taking in the darkening sky, before turning to the pair sitting down on the porch swing.
Hermione had her arms around Adrian, his sleeping form pressed tightly against her body. She was running her hands through his hair, an action that must have put him to sleep, and she was smiling. However, the smile had a tinge of sorrow to it, her eyes glassy.
But what had me glued to my spot was how they both looked like mother and son. If I had been a random stranger who happened to walk by, I would have assumed that Hermione was Adrian's mother. They didn't share any physical qualities, but the way they were holding each other could only be described as… affectionate.
Without making a noise, I made my way to the swing, making sure not to disturb Adrian since he was quick to wake. I sat myself next to her, mindful of the fact that Adrian was seated in her lap.
"Can I take him home?"
Her brown eyes showed unimaginable sorrow, so much so that I could only nod my head. I didn't want to pry, but my mouth opened on its own accord.
"Are you okay?"
She didn't look at me, just kept on running her fingers through Adrian's hair, looking at the darkened sky that was starting to fill with endless stars.
"I'm adequate."
Adequate. Her answer didn't satisfy me, but my better judgment kept me from prodding her further.
Without being able to stop, I reached over and placed my arm around her shoulders. The act felt so intimate, and yet…right. I pulled her form closer to me, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
In an unexpected gesture, she placed her head on my shoulder, making my breath catch. She smelled liked lavender, clouding my senses. Her hair was inexplicably soft against my cheek, the big curls that framed her face shiny against the porch light. She was pliant against me, her body leaning gently against mine. The warm liquid seeping into my shirt snapped me out of my reverie, my forehead furrowing instantly.
She was crying.
It was quiet for a few minutes, only sniffles and small sighs made their way into my ears. But then her body started shaking, wrecking sobs that had me stumped. Her small frame seemed even smaller, hunched over like I had never seen it before.
I looked down to find Adrian awake, his eyes watering. I reached over to place Adrian on the swing next to Hermione, but she wouldn't surrender her hold on him. She buried her head in Adrian's hair, hugging him fiercely.
"Hermione," I whispered, not wanting to startle her by talking any louder. "You have to tell me what's wrong."
She shook her head, grabbing my hand and squeezing it firmly. I looked at our entwined hands, my head swimming slightly.
I felt lost, her behavior taking me by surprise. I was used to the no-nonsense Granger, her strong views and know-it-all attitude exuding from her body itself. But her disheveled form wasn't something I had ever encountered. It boggled my mind, holding her while her emotions were in disarray.
"Do you want me to get Potter's wife?"
Again, she shook her head, the tears running down her face wetting my shirt.
I did the only thing I could do: I grabbed both Hermione and Adrian and apparated them to Granger's house. I didn't think she would be comfortable entering my home, the back of my mind telling me to get her as relaxed as possible.
I climbed her stairs, carrying her shaking body up to her room, Adrian trailing behind me. I laid her body on the bed, taking her heels off, pulling the sheets up to her chin.
Her body curled up into a ball, her hair the only thing visible due to the sheets. I looked around her bedroom, noticing the books that were placed far and wide, covering almost every surface.
I turned to go, but felt her hand on my arm, making me freeze on the spot. Her brown eyes were hopeful, and they darted between Adrian and me.
"Can you stay?"
(Hermione's POV)
I didn't know what came over me, but seeing Draco made me want to bawl my eyes out. So I did.
There was no explanation. None at all. Just glancing between Adrian and Draco had me thinking of what could be. The family I would never have.
Draco had his son, a son he could love and cherish. He could go home hand in hand with Adrian, while I had to go home to an empty house. And I was tired of being alone.
When he held me on the porch swing, my heart beat uncontrollably. Even though he didn't show it, I knew that he cared. He wouldn't have bothered to ask me what was wrong if he didn't care, even a little bit.
"Can you stay?"
The words were out of my mouth before I could even register them, but I didn't regret them.
"I don't want to be alone."
I watched as his shoulders slumped down, a gesture that I took as a sign of defeat. Adrian climbed into the bed, burrowing under the covers next to me. It broke my heart to feel his little arms wrap around me.
I looked up at Draco, his brow furrowing when I made eye contact with him. He looked weary, even though his attire looked impeccable.
I didn't really know what I wanted, but I held his gaze for an immeasurable time.
"Draco…"
It wasn't until that moment that I realized that I had been calling him Draco in my mind. The term Malfoy had been gone for some time, and I didn't know when the transition had occurred. I blushed slightly, still holding his gaze.
I watched as he took off his shoes, discarding his outer robes at the foot of the bed. With caution, he held back the sheets as he got in next to me, his body stiff as soon as he settled down. But I didn't care about his awkwardness— all I could do was hold on to him, my arms wrapping around him tightly.
I didn't know what was coming over me, but I knew that I needed him to embrace me. And when I felt his arm around my waist, I knew that I wouldn't let go.
No, I wasn't going to give up my hold on him or Adrian.
A/N: Hey there! Sorry for the wait. School and applying to scholarships like crazy has kept me from writing.
Hoped you guys liked the chapter. Please review; it will make the bond between Draco and Hermione even stronger.
This chapter is dedicated to one of my readers, lovedreamergrl. Our constant banter has reminded me to continue with the story. So thank her for inconspicuously making me write.
Thanks for reading!