Chapter 12
Draco entered the Leaky Cauldron for a quick lunch before returning to work. Seated at the bar with a sandwich and butterbeer was Ron, and he decided to join him. "Hermione told me," he said, flagging Tom to place his order.
"So, am I a jerk for ending it?" Ron asked.
"No," the blond replied, shaking his head. "The two of you did what you needed to do to be happy. I don't blame either one of you for ending it. I don't think Hermione blames you either."
Snorting, Ron took a long sip of his drink. "No, she blames herself," he muttered ruefully. "I never did, but she does. I mean, yeah, I'm the one who wanted kids, but I didn't want her to feel like it's her fault that she can't. If anyone's to blame, it sure as hell isn't her."
Draco nodded in agreement. They both knew who had cursed her repeatedly, causing irrevocable damage. "I have to ask - this secret admirer she seems to have, is it you?" he wondered.
Cheeks reddening, Ron nodded. "I thought maybe we had a chance of getting back together," he confessed. "And then she showed up with you to the gala, and I knew I didn't. You can tell her, if you want. Let me maintain some of my dignity."
Laughing, Draco said he would tell her. "So, uh, I've started working for Pansy's foundation," he shared. "Apparently reformed Death Eater is a good look. Her words, not mine. Anyhow, all she's talked about this morning is you and the gala and the lovely conversation the two of you had. I'd wager she likes you."
"I doubt that," Ron mumbled, clearly embarrassed. Clearing his throat, he ordered another drink. "She's nice though."
Taking his lunch to go, Draco covered their tabs. "Well, just don't send any secret admirer notes," he advised. "If you like her, ask her out. Five galleons she says yes."
Returning to the office, he found Pansy waiting at his desk with a thick folder. "These came for you," she said, setting them down. "Why do you have a folder full of adoption information?"
Draco shrugged and tucked it away in a drawer. "Maybe because my girlfriend can't have kids and it's all your fault?" he suggested.
Pansy rolled her eyes as she slapped his arm. "Sure, because I repeatedly pointed my wand at her while sounding off Unforgivables," she retorted. "Wait, was she in the test group for that project? I didn't realize. I'm sorry, Draco."
He nodded, both to answer her question and accept her apology. "There are other avenues though," he said, as if assuring himself more than his friend. "Adoption, surrogacy - if we decide to have children, we'll be fine. My main concern is that she might not believe me. I love her, and nothing is going to change that."
"I think she needs to hear that, not me," Pansy replied, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "She may not believe it, but if you say it enough, she might start. If that's the reason she and Ron broke up, it's understandable that she thinks you might leave her too. Though I never took Hermione as one of those women who feels she needs a man."
"She's not," he agreed with a smile. "She doesn't need me, but she wants me."
"Maybe that Unforgivable did more damage than she thought," Pansy joked, leaving his office before he could retaliate.
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Draco arrived at Hermione's flat later that night, but kept his new information hidden. As with the majority of their relationship, he would leave it up to her to let him know when she was ready to discuss it. She greeted him with a kiss and a glass of red wine. "You seem happy," he noted.
Hermione shrugged and sat down. "Can't I just be happy to see you?" she asked. Though he appreciated the compliment, Draco knew there was more to her good mood than his presence. "Okay, fine. Ron's going to ask out Pansy. She and Ginny were meeting today to talk about the wedding, and Ginny sort of let it slip to her, I guess. Anyhow, she seems excited by the prospect. I guess I won't be receiving any more flowers from my secret admirer now."
"You knew?" he asked.
"I figured it out," she replied. "That and Ginny told me. Imagine that though, your ex and my ex dating. Should it be odd? It doesn't feel odd, which might actually be the odd part."
Laughing, Draco decided that he didn't find it strange either. "I think it's because I have you that I don't mind the idea of them being together," he explained, sitting beside her. "Pansy and I weren't as involved as Ron and you, but I'm not bothered."
With a contented sigh, she placed her head on his shoulder. "I'm not either," she told him. "I loved Ron once upon a time, but now I'm in love with someone else."
"Yeah? Who?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.
Laughing, she glared at him. "You, you daft, obtuse git," she replied.
Draco cupped her chin to keep her from pulling away. "I love you too," he murmured, pressing his lips to hers. "I want you to believe that nothing will change that. It's you and me, Granger, until you kick me to the curb."
"I have no intention of doing that," she promised, caressing his cheek. "I like you too much to let you go."
"And a few minutes ago you were in love with me. Something I said?" he teased.
"No, I can love you and like you," she replied.
His smile was soft and his kiss tender. "I love you and like you too."
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Rumor has it that the wizarding world's newest, notorious couple plans to eschew tradition and put an end to the Malfoy line. Hermione Granger, more focused on her career than her love life, has let Draco Malfoy know that they will never have children. Draco, if you're smart, you'll run.
Pansy fumed as she read the latest column courtesy of Rita Skeeter. Articles about the couple were frequent, but Hermione's health was a private matter. Whether the Malfoy line ended with Draco was his business. So few knew of her condition, and Pansy feared she would be the main suspect in the leak.
When her office door opened and Draco stuck in his head, her heart pounded. "Draco, I'm so sorry," she said in a rush. "I don't know how that vile woman found out, but I promise you I'll get to the bottom of this."
Draco sighed and closed the door behind him. Taking a seat in front of her desk, he assured her that he didn't think she was to blame. "I'm more concerned that someone here is selling stories to Skeeter," he said. "Hermione's been dragged through the mud enough. I won't tolerate it happening over something we can't control."
"I swear to you, Draco, as soon as I find out who did this, they're fired," Pansy vowed. "Hermione doesn't deserve this, and neither do you. I'm in your corner."
