Disclaimer: I do not own any thing.

A/N: Sorry for the wait! Longer note at the bottom! Happy Reading!

Chapter 5

Hermione
-Present-

"Why did I not marry Ron?" Hermione asked Ginny as they sat with their tea, enjoying the breeze from the windows that had been opened to let some of the stale air out. They were sitting in the cafeteria. The other witch was sitting with her feet propped up, her saucer sitting on her growing belly.

Ginny eyed her curiously, sipping her tea in silence as she contemplated and Hermione knew that the woman was trying to decide what to tell her. "People grow apart 'Mione."

"But Ron and I?" She asked, shaking her head.

She couldn't remember anything that had happened between them after the first kiss she and Ron had shared and then the moment he had proposed. She found it hard to believe, in that moment, that she could feel anything but love for the boy she had grown up with. Yet somehow she had ended up with Malfoy, or so they told her. It just didn't make sense to her. The love she felt for Ron at that moment in time, after they had finally destroyed a horcrux, had leant Harry their help, it had been all consuming.

On the other hand, she could still remember Draco's sneer as he called her a mudblood. Yet, he couldn't be all bad, could he? She remembered, as she watched Ginny rubbing her belly absently, the Quidditch World cup, his thinly veiled warnings.

Then of Harry's recollection of the night in the astronomy tower. Of how Malfoy had lowered his wand. How he had gone against Voldemort's orders directly, despite the threat upon his family. That wasn't to mention the day at Malfoy Manor, how he had purposely lied to his aunt, not giving away their identities.

But then... then he had watched as his aunt held her down. When she had a knife pressed to her throat. Her eyes darted down to her arm, covered by the long sleeve thermal shirt that Malfoy had brought for her, and she knew the words were there, etched in to her skin.

"Look, the healers say that it's best not to tell you anything. To let you try to regain your memory by yourself but I'll tell you this; you're one of my best friends, and I wouldn't have let you do anything reckless or stupid. You love him Hermione and I know you'll find your way back to him."

"What if I don't Gin?" Hermione breathed, setting her cup down on the table with shaky hands. "I have children Ginny. Children I don't even know, that I can't remember. Their birthdays, their first steps; I don't remember any of it. What if I never do?"

Ginny looked at her sadly and shook her long red hair, "You can't think like that..."

Hermione bit her tongue and nodded, not wanting to argue in that moment, but unable to shake the feeling that she was a lost cause.

"Where will I go?" She asked, tears brimming her eyes as she stared at the healer who had told her, gleefully, that she was being released and was now looking like she wished she hadn't been assigned this job.

"Well... home I presume."

"I don't even know where that is." Hermione shouted.

"'Mione?" She turned, meeting Harry's gaze and she rushed to him as he wrapped his arms around her. "What's going on?"

"They're releasing me." She hiccuped in to his shoulder and it was only then that she noticed Draco behind him, leaning against the wall in the hallway, looking anywhere but at her. Her heat sank at the thought that she was going to have to go home with him. Alone.

"I know but..."

"You know? Harry, I don't even know where I live and..."

"Hey," He said softly, pushing her away to stroke her hair. "You don't think we're going to let you go out there alone do you? You're coming home with us. Ginny is getting the room ready for you."

The relief hit her instantaneously and she sagged in his arms as he gave the witch behind her a nod and she assumed she returned to packing up the belongings Hermione had accumulated throughout her stay.

It wasn't until they had discharged her, with strict instructions to floo her healer with any changes, that she realized Malfoy was still there, still in the hallway and still not meeting her gaze. He didn't leave until Harry had pulled her with him in to the fireplace and thrown the powder in to the flames, and she watched his back as they disappeared behind the green flames.

"Aunt 'Mione!" James cried as soon as they had appeared in the room and she smiled as he collided with her knees and looked up at her. She smiled at the little boy who looked so like his father, with his mother's bright brown eyes. "Did you bring Leo?"

Her heart stuttered in her chest and she shook her head sadly. "No, I'm sorry, not this time."

The boy shrugged, still smiling. "It's okay."

She laughed a little and he pulled away as Ginny appeared behind him and then, much to her surprise, Ron followed.

"Hello 'Mione." He said quietly and Ginny shot him a look.

"Ron." She greeted, and moved further in to the room as Ginny put the kettle on.

"Good to see you outside of St. Mungo's." Ron laughed and then reached down to pick up the toddler at his feet, tickling Albus' belly and making the little boy laugh.

"You too." Hermione said with a smile.

"I was just telling Ron that Mum will be here soon. She's excited to see you."

"Oh, I hope I didn't interrupt any plans..."

"Nope." Harry said as he pulled out a chair at the table and settled in. "We have dinner here every Sunday. Everyone comes... er, if you aren't up to it though."

"No. I'd love to see everyone." Hermione said quickly, and she found she really meant it.

"Good." Harry said with a laugh. "Because they'll be here soon."

Ginny led Hermione out of the kitchen, and it was only then that she realized that they were in a barely recognizable Grimmauld place. She kept it to herself however as they wound through the halls and finally, Ginny opened the door, letting her in to the room she would inhabit. She showed her around the room before leaving her to settle in and after she left, Hermione sat down on the bed, exhaling as she let a few tears fall.

She followed the sound of laughter as she headed downstairs. She had managed to take a quick shower and change into a comfy pair of brown striped lounge pants and a soft, cream colored t-shirt before the din of voices had risen up to her, alerting her to the fact that dinner was approaching. Well, that and the growl of her stomach.

Entering the kitchen she pulled up short as she caught sight of the scene before her. Molly Weasley stood at the kitchen sink, washing a dish as she laughed heartily while Draco Malfoy stood beside her, drying the dishes in the muggle fashion as he too, laughed. Harry sat at the table, a toddler on each knee as he and George Weasley played a game. Ginny was stirring a pot on the stove, while Angelina Johnson sat on the counter beside her, sipping a butterbeer. Arthur Weasley was playing with James and two dark headed little children in the corner while Ron watched with a smile on his face. No one was any the wiser of her prescence and for a moment she took it all in. As though all the people were one big happy family. Her happy family.

Her thoughts drifted back to her mother, to the empty shell she had seen at the hospital and her stomach twisted painfully.

"Oh Hermione." She jumped as the sound of Molly Weasley's voice pulled her away from her sad thoughts and she smiled as the woman hurriedly crossed the room, wrapping her up tightly.

Hermione welcomed the warm embrace as the smell of Mrs. Weasley seemed to grip her, comforting her aching bones.

"It's so good to see you dear." The woman breathed in to Hermione's hair. "We're so glad you're okay."

Hermione scoffed and Molly pulled away, holding her at arm's length as she examined her and Hermione saw so much in that gaze. Love and sadness, comfort and longing and Hermione realized that the woman was right, she was okay. Because as bad as it was, it could be worse. Of their own accord her eyes traveled to George as he now stood, holding Angelina's hand, leaning against the sink. The remaining twin nodded at her sadly and Malfoy reached out from where he leaned beside George, clapping him softly on the shoulder.

"Bit peaky though, I bet that hospital food left much to be desired. Come, come, dinner is ready."

"But Mum, we're waiting on..."

The fireplace lit up suddenly and in stepped Neville, his cloak spotted with both ash and dirt and he smiled as he caught Hermione's gaze. She ran at him, full force, laughing as he wrapped her up as well, spinning her around as the fireplace flashed again.

"Oh." Neville said, pulling away but keeping one arm wrapped firmly around her shoulders. "Hermione, you remember Hannah right?"

"Hannah Abbot?" Hermione smiled at the blonde haired, green eyed witch who had just stepped through the floo.

"Hannah Longbottom actually." Neville corrected and Hermione smiled shyly.

"Congratulations... I..." she stuttered and the room erupted in to quiet chuckles that made the blood rush to Hermione's face.

"Sorry." Hannah said, "It's just.. you were in the wedding party."

"Oh." Hermione said quietly. "I... I had no idea."

The jovial mood in the room shifted and Hermione felt the awkwardness begin to settle before Molly, thankfully, stepped in and yelled for everyone to gather at the table.

Hermione made her way with Neville and ended up sitting next to Ron and across from Malfoy as food was passed. Lyra was seated in a high chair between Malfoy and Harry and wasted no time in shoving mashed potatoes in her face as soon as her father had scooped some on to her plate.

Ron laughed at the girls antics and the little girl met his gaze, scrunching up her button nose as she too laughed. "Merlin she looks like you when she does that Hermione."

Malfoy glared at the red head but nodded as he reached over to wipe some of the mess from the little girl's hands as conversations continued around them.

Suddenly, Hermione realized what was missing. "Where's Leo?"

Malfoy looked up; his gaze full of hope before it passed from his eyes quickly and he shook his head. "He's spending the night with mother. I thought it would be easier."

"Are you- are you sure that's a good idea?" Hermione asked and though she tried to keep her voice steady, it shook despite her best efforts.

"Why?" Malfoy asked, abandoning his effort to keep his daughter clean as she squished her peas between her fingers.

"Well, because your mother is a death eater." She said bluntly and she saw Malfoy pale as someone gasped close by.

"Hermione." Harry said firmly and she shook her head at her best friend as she felt Ron's hand on her arm.

"My mother was never-"

"Really?" She laughed. "Could have fooled me."

"My mother loves Leo and Lyra, she loves you."

"Right." she replied scathingly. "That's why she watched her sister torture me on her living room floor."

Malfoy's eyes narrowed, his lips pinched together until they turned nearly white before he spat, "Drawing room actually."

Hermione dropped her spoon as the room grew deathly quiet around them.

"'Mione." Malfoy's voice was even quieter, hardly loud enough for her to hear, his voice pleading.

"Lay off it." Ron said loudly from beside her and Malfoy's eyes turned towards the man coldly.

"This is between me and my wife Weasel."

"Too bad she doesn't remember being your wife, huh Ferret."

"Stop." Hermione said, moving to stand up, "Just stop."

Before either of them could stop her, she turned on her heel and left the room, her breathing ragged as she fought the tears that were threatening her lashes. She managed to make it back to her room before they finally came and as she lay there in the darkness, she finally let them fall. For herself, for the children she didn't even know, for the life she thought she would have lived, and oddly enough, for Draco Malfoy.

A knock on the door pulled her out of her stupor and she slowly got up and opened the door, happy to see that Molly Weasley stood there with a tray of food.

"You still need to eat." the woman said simply as Hermione opened the door to let her pass through.

"I'm- I'm so sorry Molly." Hermione cried.

"Oh dear." the woman set the tray down, moving to hold on to Hermione's shoulder and guide her on to the bed as Hermione cried in to her shoulder for what seemed like hours. Molly Weasley's whispered words soothing her hurting heart as finally she ran out of tears.

"His mother is a lovely woman." Molly finally said against her head and Hermione pulled away. "I know, I was shocked too. When you first told me about her, you told me she had apologized. Wanted to make it right with you, after everything that happened. By then it was all water under the bridge for you. You told me you forgave her before she had even asked because if it had been your family, your mother, you wouldn't have hesitated to do what had to be done. You understood."

Molly pushed the hair out of her face as she finished talking and Hermione shook her head. "My mother..."

"They take care of her, you know. Pay for her to be at St. Mungos, see a muggle doctor once a week. They did it before you and Draco were even...well, you and Draco. You protested at first but you enjoyed having her so close, so you could go visit. And eventually take your children to see her."

"But... it's Draco."

Molly let out a laugh and nodded her head. "It is. He's good to you. A wonderful father. Just, don't be too hard on him. He's hurting too."

Hermione nodded, knowing that Molly was right, as she often was. She had been so confused and bewildered that she forgot, often, that it was more than just her in this situation. Malfoy was living it too, and he was alone with children that up until recently, she had helped with.

"I should apologize." She finally said and the woman hummed in agreement but nodded at the tray.

"Eat first. He'll wait for you. He always does."

And before Hermione could ponder what that meant, the woman had left.

A/N: So a few of you aren't pleased with the way Hermione has been acting. I agree, she's kind of being a bitch. However, please remember that while everyone else has had years to process the war, the things that happened, and the fact that Hermione Granger married Draco Malfoy, to her everything only just happened. It's new and scary and really out of character for them both so she's dealing with it the only way she knows how. I hope that explains a little bit about her perspective and maybe clears up some of the why as to her attitude about things. It will get better. For all of them. Please review and let me know what you think!