Chapter 3: Pain
Draco had finally let himself doze off when he heard a knock at the door. Not wanting to wake Hermione up again, he quickly opened it up. When he saw his parents he stepped outside the door instead of letting them in. If she didn't remember Draco his parents would probably scare her to death and create completely unnecessary problems.
"Is Hermione ok? What happened?" asked Narcissa.
"Can't we see her?" asked Lucius.
A relationship between Hermione and Lucius had been incredibly strained in the beginning. She was absolutely terrified of him because of what happened to her in the Manor, but after they had been dating since they were both 21 and married at 22 there had been a developing relationship between Hermione and Lucius. He was beginning to see the error of his ways with how bright Hermione was and how good she was for Draco.
"Well about that… " started Draco slowly trying to keep his emotions in check," There was an explosion in the lab and Hermione hit her head. She's fine except she doesn't remember anything past Hogwarts, including me. Well I mean she remembers me, but not the new me."
Narcissa's mouth opened in shock and she hurriedly put her arms around Draco. She could tell he was having a hard time with this.
"I'm sure it's just temporary right? There is something we can do to help her remember?" asked Narcissa.
Draco stepped out of his mother's arms and shook his head.
"No. The healer said only time would tell," said Draco disappointedly.
"Well she'll be ok but let us see her, Draco," said Lucius moving for the door again but was halted by Draco.
"I can't let you. She might wake up any time now and she absolutely hates me so I can only imagine what she would think of the two of you. Father, she would remember you as the worst Death Eater of them all and she won't know you at all Mother. It's hard enough with me around I can't make it harder with you," said Draco.
"I see," said Lucius stiffly. Although he would never admit it, Hermione was growing on him. He didn't like the thought of Hermione hating him again.
"I'm sorry," said Draco.
"Can't we just go in for a couple of minutes? You know how I feel about her," said Narcissa.
No matter how hard Draco tried he couldn't disappoint his mother. He slowly nodded his head and ushered them inside.
"Only a few minutes!" said Draco.
Narcissa smiled and patted Draco's arm as she rushed past him to Hermione's bedside. Lucius and Draco followed. Draco held his breath in anticipation.
"She is beautiful isn't she, even with all the cuts and bruises," said Narcissa as she brushed Hermione's hair from her face. Tears stung her eyes.
"She's more than beautiful," said Draco, "She's the most gorgeous girl I've ever seen in my life."
"I'm sure she'll be fine, son. You two have a very strong connection," said Lucius.
"I hope so," said Draco.
"Draco?" asked Narcissa, "I hope I won't upset you too much by asking this, but how's the baby?"
Draco looked up and frowned.
"What? How did you know too and I didn't? I just found!" said Draco.
"I'm practically her mother! Of course she told me!" said Narcissa, "But how's the baby?"
"Hermione's having a baby?" asked Lucius completely in shock.
"The baby is fine and I can't believe you didn't tell me," said Draco.
"I couldn't! A wife should be the one to tell her husband," said Narcissa, "But don't worry about it now. She's fine and so is your baby."
"Sure except now she doesn't even know she's pregnant. How am I going to do this? She hates me. I'll be lucky if I can even get her to come home with me," said Draco taking her hand while she slept.
"We'll all help you. I'm sure after you try to explain things, maybe show her a few pictures things will be fine. Just trust in time and don't give up on her," said Narcissa.
"We should probably be going now, Narcissa. I'm sure all our talking might have stirred her a little," said Lucius, "Good luck but I'm sure things will be fine as well."
"Thanks for coming," said Draco as he walked them to the door.
After they had left, it was only a few minutes before Hermione did wake up again. At least she knew where she was this time and automatically knew she was in for confusion instead of a surprise. When she opened her eyes and looked around she saw Draco next to her again and unfortunately no one else. She still was not comfortable being alone with him.
"How are you feeling?" asked Draco timidly, this time not touching her.
Hermione ignored him and asked, "Where's Harry and Ginny?"
"They had to go take care of their twins. I can call them again if you need," said Draco sounding disappointed.
"They have twins?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah. Lily and James. They're 3 and a complete handful," said Draco smiling.
"Lily and James. I probably could have guessed that one myself," said Hermione smiling to herself.
"Potter is pretty predictable," said Draco.
Hermione got quiet now thinking about herself. Ron and Lavender had a kid… Harry and Ginny had kids… did she… ? No she couldn't! She was much more responsible than that right? But she had to know.
"Umm… Malfoy?" asked Hermione.
Draco winced at the name.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Do we… you know… have kids?" she asked quietly.
"Not yet," said Draco looking into her eyes trying to gauge a response or a feeling.
"What do you mean yet?" asked Hermione.
"I just found out you're two months pregnant," said Draco.
Hermione gasped and then touched her stomach. She was pregnant? She wanted to cry out of slight excitement because she was jealous of her friends and wanted her own but also out of absolute fear because it was her enemy's child. She didn't want to spend her life with him and now she was tied to him forever.
Draco couldn't read her face. He wanted to know what she was thinking!
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Sure," Hermione looking at her hands. Then she noticed something she hadn't before on her left hand, fourth finger. It was a ring… and really pretty at that. It was something that totally fit her and Malfoy. There was a large princess cut diamond flanked by two square emerald stones and then diamonds and then emeralds each growing smaller until they were in line with the band. The wedding band itself was identical. Hermione felt her heart start pounding. He must have loved her or he wouldn't still be here, she wouldn't have this, and he wouldn't be acting like he cared, but why did she still feel like him and the ring poisoning her? She tried to pull it off, but it wouldn't budget.
"Uh, I'm sorry Mione but it's enchanted to stay on. It was a special spell that was requested when we got married," said Draco.
"Oh," Hermione quietly.
Draco couldn't take it anymore. He went closer to her and lightly took one of her hands. He was glad when she didn't rip it away.
"Is there anything I can do for you to show you how much I love you and that I'm not the person you remember? I promise I love you more than anything in the world," said Draco.
Hermione felt tears prick her eyes. She wanted to remember but couldn't. She slowly pulled her hand back and looked at Draco. She could see he was close to tears as well.
"Can you just go, please? I'm sorry I think I just need time," said Hermione.
Draco felt like his heart had been ripped out, but of course he would do what she asked. He nodded and then timidly moved closer and kissed her forehead softly.
Draco was almost to the door when he heard Hermione again.
"Umm, Malfoy? Can you bring pictures back maybe? If everything is real there has to be pictures – and they have to be moving. You can't fabricate those," said Hermione.
"Of course I can. Just have someone contact me when you're ready," said Draco.
Hermione didn't say anything. She just watched him leave and then gave a sigh of relief. Now she could think without feeling so guilty. She had a lot she needed to think about and she needed her best friends.
All Draco could feel was pain. His own wife was pushing him out of her life. He didn't want to lose her because of an accident.
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