Sorry that it took me so long to update this story. I've been very busy with work and other stuff. I'll be taking some time to try and complete this story little by little. I also am planning to re-write and correct the grammar on the previous chapters but I'll be completing this first before I do that.

I hope that you guys didn't forget about the story. Here's Chapter 18. :) x

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, except the plot and Isabella.

Chapter 18

After the attack on Felicity's house, Hermione and Isabella apparated back at the Burrow. Hermione couldn't believe that her daughter is back in her arms again. She took a good look of her daughter to check if she got hurt anywhere, she saw that there's a small bruise on her arms. "Who did this to you Isabella?" She asked, pointing on the bruise.

"I don't remember mommy. I think it's that Felicity girl"

She gave her a faint smile. "It's all over now baby, she's not going to hurt you anymore."

"She changed my hair color mommy. I don't like this color." Pouted Isabella.

"I know, don't worry we'll change it back." She gave her a reassuring smile.

"I miss you my mommy." Isabella said as she wrapped her little arms on her mother's neck to give her a hug.

"I missed you more. You were so brave today." She said hugging her daughter back.

After a few hours she settled Isabella to one of the rooms at the Burrow. She was sleeping next to her until she heard a soft knock on the door.

"Hi Mione." It was Ron. "Can you come down here for a sec? We just need to discuss some stuff with you."

She nodded and went downstairs. Harry, Ron, Pansy and Narcissa were all downstairs. 'Draco's not here yet' she thought."Something wrong Harry?"

"No. We just wanted to discuss with you that Felicity is –"

"Is she rotting in Azkaban?"

"Well. No. Not really. The case is not strong enough to qualify –"

She couldn't believe this. "Not strong enough?! She kidnapped my daughter Harry. She probably used one of the unforgivable curses on her. She probably gave her something. I don't know Harry. All I know is that she kidnapped my daughter." She's trying her best to be calm about all the nonsense she's hearing.

"We know that but Hermione, Crow's father also have connections in the Ministry. She got away quickly."

"That's bullshit Harry! Connections?! I don't care about that! I need that girl locked up in Azkaban!"

"Granger, please calm down. You'll wake up your daughter" It was Draco. She didn't hear him come in. "This mess is because of me –"

"No Draco, this is because of me. I tried to meddle in your life. I should've known better." Narcissa said as she stood up and held her son's hand. She faced Hermione. "I will clean up this mess Hermione. Don't worry about this anymore Potter. Rest assured that I'll take care of it."

She tried to calm herself down, seeing the sincerity in her face. "I don't want to sound rude but you better take care of this Narcissa. I don't want that girl near my daughter ever."

"I will. I apologize for what happened. I'll be taking my leave now, you probably still have unresolved issues to discuss."

Draco looked at Hermione from afar. He wanted to hold her in his arms but after everything that happened it now seems impossible. The three of them will never be a family. He really thought that they can make it work, he immediately brushed off the thought of the three living happily together.
"I'll be taking my leave now too. "

"Don't you want to see Isabella?" Asked Pansy as she put down her tea.

"I do want to see her." He said and looked at Hermione. "I badly want to see Isabella. But like what I said to Hermione, once we find our—her daughter that I will leave and that I won't appear in front of them again."

He hoped for Hermione to say something back but she turned her back on him and headed to the stairs. That gesture pierced his heart a little. They really are over. "I'm thankful for the little time that I was able to spend with Isabella. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for telling you before to give her up, for only thinking about myself. You've got a great kid Hermione, take care of her."

"I will." She said as she started walking up the stairs. Not even bothering to look at him.

Draco hoped that she would say something or look at him at least. "I guess this is goodbye Hermione. Please kiss Isabella goodbye for me." He said with a heavy heart.

"Goodbye Malfoy."

He didn't even see her face. But he understands. He left the room with a quiet 'pop'.

"You're cruel Granger." Pansy couldn't help it anymore. She had to say something.

"You don't know anything Pansy."

"Maybe not. But you know what I see? I see a good man trying his best to change for the woman he loves. Do you how miserable his life is?"

"I'm miserable too Pansy!"

"Yea probably. But you have Isabella. You have a beautiful little girl to go home to every night. Draco's got nothing. Every day for the past years he comes home to an empty house. Do you know how that feel? Every day he buried his face into his work, you know why? Because he's trying his best to forget about you. He wanted to try to be happy without you in his life. But who is he kidding? He can't do that. You are his life. And then he met his little girl, do you know how happy he was when he met her? I know it's not my place, but what you just did is pretty stupid considering you're supposed to be the smartest witch of your generation."

Hermione just looked at her. She didn't thought about that, she didn't thought about the hardships that Draco had to go through. But she have to do what is best for her daughter and besides it's too late now.

She didn't want to hear any of it anymore. "I'm sorry Pansy. I can't deal with this right now. I have to think of what's best for me and my daughter. We were able to survive without him before, we'll survive without him in the future."

"You're making the biggest mistake of your life."

"You don't know anything Pansy. I think it's better if you should just leave now. There's no more reason for you to be here."

"Come on now Hermione, don't be like that to her. She's just trying to help." Ron said. He didn't want to admit it but Pansy was right. He saw how Malfoy was when he was with Hermione and Isabella. Even if he doesn't like him as a person, they all looked better together.

"I don't care Ron. I have to get back to my daughter. She needs me now more than ever."

"Draco what are you doing here back so soon? Did you fix things with Granger?" asked Narcissa, she too just got back from the Crow's residence.

"No Mother."

"What do you mean?"

"We're done Mother. Hermione and I. We're over. We'll never be a family." said Draco as he poured himself some whiskey.

"But why? We-"

"You're seriously asking me that Mother?! If you didn't meddle in my life, I would've been happy right now. I would've been with my daughter and Hermione, not sitting here alone with a glass of whiskey." he said looking at his reflection on the glass of whiskey. How did he come to this? He had everything planned. He and Hermione was supposed to get back together, they were supposed to tell Isabella that he's not dead. They were supposed to be a happy family.

"How many times do I have to apologize? You can't blame me for wanting my only son to be happy. I was only trying to help."

Draco sighed and walked over to her mother to hug her. "I'm sorry too Mother. I know you only want what's best for me."

"What are your plans now?"

"I promised her that I will leave her alone after we find Isabella." he said sadly taking the last sip.

Seeing Draco like that broke Narcissa's heart. "You can't do that. You love her."

"I'm a Malfoy mother. I have to keep my word. Even if it will kill me everyday not to see them, I have to keep my word. It's probably best for all of us."

I know, I know. I updated after a year or two and the update is heartbreaking for all of us Draco/Hermione fans. I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as possible.

Don't forget to review. :) x