Chapter 8 The letters
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"Women are meant to be loved, not understood."-Oscar Wilde
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Hermione lifted her head from the pillows and peered around the room groggily. It was Sunday morning. Draco had left for some meeting or other hours ago but his smell and the feeling of him still lingered around the room. She sighed pulling herself out of bed. All she really wanted was to stay cuddled up in the warmth of the bed and let the memories of the night take over here mind but there were more important things to be done.
When Draco had made that comment about her parents not knowing anything, Hermione realized she had been completely ignoring them since she found out about her heritage. They may not her true blood parents, but they raised her and gave her everything they could manage. They were good people but their little world was falling apart. She had been worried when she left for school and she still was. They didn't seem in love anymore. She was sure they cared about each other, but there wasn't a spark. She never really remembered them showing affection to each other. They never had tender embraces, never got lost in each other's eyes, never kissed, and never really talked.
Hermione sat at the desk and self-consciously rubbed her abdomen. She still couldn't quite believe there was another human growing inside of her. She sighed again, just one more thing she had neglected to tell her parents. This was it, she was going to write a letter and tell them everything. Now, she just had to figure out where to start. She set up her space with a fresh piece of parchment, an expensive phoenix feather quill, and a full bottle of black ink. She gracefully dipped the quill into the ink then perched her hand above the parchment ready to write; or not. Her brain seemed to freeze along with her hand. Everything seemed to stop. How could she tell them she had moved on with her life without even thinking about them?
"Urgh," She grunted in frustration when she noticed the ink had dripped onto the parchment leaving a large, black blotch. She crumpled the ruined parchment and tossed it over her shoulder before grabbing a new piece. She prepared to write again and actually got her quill to touch the paper before freezing again.
"I'll love you no matter what you do, always know that."
Her mother's voice rang through her head so suddenly and so loudly she jumped. Her mother had told her that before she left for her grandfather's manor. Hermione cleared her mind and was thoroughly surprised when she felt her quill scratching across the page. She closed her eyes and let the words flow not particularly paying attention to what she was writing. When her hand stopped, she looked down and read.
Dear mum and dad,
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've contacted either of you but I've been...busy. There is so much to tell and not enough time or parchment to tell it. I suppose I should start with saying how much I miss you two. I'm so sorry I haven't written, I was just so caught up in my own life. I didn't even think of it until Draco mentioned it which led to a fight but he had a point.
Now, I mentioned Draco. I'm both pleased and terrified to tell you that he is my husband. I know you probably think is some stupid, childish joke but I kid not. Your little girl is married, I'm all grown up. I should have written as soon as I found out we were to be wed, but as I said before, I just didn't think of it. Draco is wonderful and I'm delighted to say I'm very much in love with him. I love Draco Malfoy. Yes, the "Malfoy" I used to complain about. But you know what they say, "When hate turns to love...". All I can really say is I love him. I want to tell you so much more, but it would be most inappropriate not to tell you in person.
Involving my marriage, I do not regret to inform that I am pregnant. Yes, your little girl is having a baby. I'm only about 6 weeks along, but I'm loving every minute so far. Draco will make a wonderful father...in private. He's not one to wear emotions on his sleeve, so, if you see him with the baby or in general don't be offended if he seems uptight or high and mighty. You may not wish to know this (dad), but the child was conceived on our wedding night. And just for mum, it was amazing and has been amazing ever since. (You always told me to tell you my opinion on anything).
Please, I beg of you not to be upset at my current conditions and to reply in a kindly manner. I shall inform you of new developments as they come even if you choose to ignore my letters. I hope you can accept me now, as I am with my own family. I love you both so much I think it would kill me should you cast me away. I would understand if you do prefer that road, but I pray you do not. Remember, "I shall love you no matter what you do, always know that".
Love always,
Hermione
Hermione leaned against the back of the chair. The letter didn't say everything, but there would be time to explain the rest in person. She hurriedly dressed and walked to the Owlery. She grabbed a school barn owl, attached her letter to its leg, and watched it fly away. She returned to her rooms to find Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape sitting in the common room.
"Can I help you, professors?" She asked timidly wondering why they were there.
"We simply wanted to inquire about your health." McGonagall asked grabbing Dumbledore's hand in a vice grip.
"Yes, and to ask how your appointment about the baby was last night." Dumbledore added hopelessly attempting to pull his hand away.
"I can assure that I am fine," Hermione sat down, "and the baby is perfectly healthy."
"Indeed, that is well. Have you informed your grandfather of this new development?" Snape asked showing no emotion.
"No, I wished to write my parents first. Although, now I've done that, so I can tell him immediately." She replied hesitantly.
"Very well, we shall leave you to it." Snape stood, bowed his head, and cleared out of the room. Dumbledore and McGonagall stood also. Hermione noticed they still held hands but dropped them as soon as the reached the door.
As soon as everyone was gone, she sat at the same desk she had sat at before. She picked up her quill and scribbled a note. This one was much easier to write because she didn't have to explain as much.
Martin,
Sorry I haven't been in contact since the wedding but I thought you would be pleased to know I am pregnant and I completely forgive you for arranging this without my permission. I love Draco very much now, more than I ever thought I could. I could even say 'Thank you' for bringing him into my life. Well, you've no need to respond but you may do so if you wish.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger Cartier Vaughnwell Malfoy
'That should make him happy,' Hermione thought looking at the long signature at the bottom. Martin had told her that a woman of respect always carries more than one name and she should always use every last name whenever possible.
She mailed that letter then returned to her rooms to study. She had been slacking in her classes but promised herself she would make up for it. The next few weeks flew by in a series of liaisons with Draco, homework, and classes.
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"Women are meant to be loved, not understood."-Oscar Wilde
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Hermione lifted her head from the pillows and peered around the room groggily. It was Sunday morning. Draco had left for some meeting or other hours ago but his smell and the feeling of him still lingered around the room. She sighed pulling herself out of bed. All she really wanted was to stay cuddled up in the warmth of the bed and let the memories of the night take over here mind but there were more important things to be done.
When Draco had made that comment about her parents not knowing anything, Hermione realized she had been completely ignoring them since she found out about her heritage. They may not her true blood parents, but they raised her and gave her everything they could manage. They were good people but their little world was falling apart. She had been worried when she left for school and she still was. They didn't seem in love anymore. She was sure they cared about each other, but there wasn't a spark. She never really remembered them showing affection to each other. They never had tender embraces, never got lost in each other's eyes, never kissed, and never really talked.
Hermione sat at the desk and self-consciously rubbed her abdomen. She still couldn't quite believe there was another human growing inside of her. She sighed again, just one more thing she had neglected to tell her parents. This was it, she was going to write a letter and tell them everything. Now, she just had to figure out where to start. She set up her space with a fresh piece of parchment, an expensive phoenix feather quill, and a full bottle of black ink. She gracefully dipped the quill into the ink then perched her hand above the parchment ready to write; or not. Her brain seemed to freeze along with her hand. Everything seemed to stop. How could she tell them she had moved on with her life without even thinking about them?
"Urgh," She grunted in frustration when she noticed the ink had dripped onto the parchment leaving a large, black blotch. She crumpled the ruined parchment and tossed it over her shoulder before grabbing a new piece. She prepared to write again and actually got her quill to touch the paper before freezing again.
"I'll love you no matter what you do, always know that."
Her mother's voice rang through her head so suddenly and so loudly she jumped. Her mother had told her that before she left for her grandfather's manor. Hermione cleared her mind and was thoroughly surprised when she felt her quill scratching across the page. She closed her eyes and let the words flow not particularly paying attention to what she was writing. When her hand stopped, she looked down and read.
Dear mum and dad,
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've contacted either of you but I've been...busy. There is so much to tell and not enough time or parchment to tell it. I suppose I should start with saying how much I miss you two. I'm so sorry I haven't written, I was just so caught up in my own life. I didn't even think of it until Draco mentioned it which led to a fight but he had a point.
Now, I mentioned Draco. I'm both pleased and terrified to tell you that he is my husband. I know you probably think is some stupid, childish joke but I kid not. Your little girl is married, I'm all grown up. I should have written as soon as I found out we were to be wed, but as I said before, I just didn't think of it. Draco is wonderful and I'm delighted to say I'm very much in love with him. I love Draco Malfoy. Yes, the "Malfoy" I used to complain about. But you know what they say, "When hate turns to love...". All I can really say is I love him. I want to tell you so much more, but it would be most inappropriate not to tell you in person.
Involving my marriage, I do not regret to inform that I am pregnant. Yes, your little girl is having a baby. I'm only about 6 weeks along, but I'm loving every minute so far. Draco will make a wonderful father...in private. He's not one to wear emotions on his sleeve, so, if you see him with the baby or in general don't be offended if he seems uptight or high and mighty. You may not wish to know this (dad), but the child was conceived on our wedding night. And just for mum, it was amazing and has been amazing ever since. (You always told me to tell you my opinion on anything).
Please, I beg of you not to be upset at my current conditions and to reply in a kindly manner. I shall inform you of new developments as they come even if you choose to ignore my letters. I hope you can accept me now, as I am with my own family. I love you both so much I think it would kill me should you cast me away. I would understand if you do prefer that road, but I pray you do not. Remember, "I shall love you no matter what you do, always know that".
Love always,
Hermione
Hermione leaned against the back of the chair. The letter didn't say everything, but there would be time to explain the rest in person. She hurriedly dressed and walked to the Owlery. She grabbed a school barn owl, attached her letter to its leg, and watched it fly away. She returned to her rooms to find Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape sitting in the common room.
"Can I help you, professors?" She asked timidly wondering why they were there.
"We simply wanted to inquire about your health." McGonagall asked grabbing Dumbledore's hand in a vice grip.
"Yes, and to ask how your appointment about the baby was last night." Dumbledore added hopelessly attempting to pull his hand away.
"I can assure that I am fine," Hermione sat down, "and the baby is perfectly healthy."
"Indeed, that is well. Have you informed your grandfather of this new development?" Snape asked showing no emotion.
"No, I wished to write my parents first. Although, now I've done that, so I can tell him immediately." She replied hesitantly.
"Very well, we shall leave you to it." Snape stood, bowed his head, and cleared out of the room. Dumbledore and McGonagall stood also. Hermione noticed they still held hands but dropped them as soon as the reached the door.
As soon as everyone was gone, she sat at the same desk she had sat at before. She picked up her quill and scribbled a note. This one was much easier to write because she didn't have to explain as much.
Martin,
Sorry I haven't been in contact since the wedding but I thought you would be pleased to know I am pregnant and I completely forgive you for arranging this without my permission. I love Draco very much now, more than I ever thought I could. I could even say 'Thank you' for bringing him into my life. Well, you've no need to respond but you may do so if you wish.
Sincerely,
Hermione Granger Cartier Vaughnwell Malfoy
'That should make him happy,' Hermione thought looking at the long signature at the bottom. Martin had told her that a woman of respect always carries more than one name and she should always use every last name whenever possible.
She mailed that letter then returned to her rooms to study. She had been slacking in her classes but promised herself she would make up for it. The next few weeks flew by in a series of liaisons with Draco, homework, and classes.