Draco's Choice chapter 7

By HPFangirl

A/N: sorry this chapter took so long to get written, been having lots of morning sickness and not feeling real well in general……. I wanted to write this chapter to add to the conflict of the story so I hope you like it, feel free to send me a review to let me know how I've done, thanks!!

Several weeks had passed since Draco's overnite visit to Hermione Granger. He'd been spending a lot more time at home since that nite, being careful tho not to ignore Granger completely. He found his heart filled with remorse towards Pansy after the way he'd treated her. It wasn't like it was the first time something like that had transpired between them, but it was the first time Draco had felt so damn guilty. Something had changed over the years. It wasn't as easy to mistreat her and walk away as if nothing ever happened.

Pansy liked this new Draco. The Draco who came home for dinner. The Draco who doted on his wife and son. The Draco who would surprise them with sweet little gifts. This was the Draco she had fallen in love with. He seemed more carefree and unaffected. It was almost as if the war had never happened. Only the nightmares hinted at the pain which fed on him like a hungry beast. She knew that they filled him with terror but he never let on. He was a Malfoy and Malfoys never asked for help.

It had been many years, yet not even time seemed to heal his hidden scars. The years had been filled happily with Quidditch, marriage, fatherly duties, and finally the Ministry. Why did he still hang onto the guilt? Everything he had done had been done to preserve the pureblood ways. What did he have to feel guilty about? Why dwell on a past he couldn't erase? Even the great Harry Potter had forgiven him so why couldn't he forgive himself? She didn't know what she could do to help her husband face his demons so he could be free of them.

It was a quiet Saturday afternoon, Pansy and Draco were in the backyard watching Scorpius ride around on his toy broom. Draco was watching the boy with such intense admiration that he never saw the tiny brown barn owl land on the hedge near them. Pansy had already unhooked the rolled up parchment from its foot when Draco noticed the telltale seal on the letter. "Looks like something from work." he lied. "Let me have a look at it." Pansy handed the letter to him. Draco thought to himself, why on earth would Granger send him something at home? It was terribly stupid of her.

He opened the parchment and read the letter, it was short but urgent.

Draco

Can you get away? Please come ASAP. I need you, its important!

Hermione

Draco was shocked at the request. Never in their relationship had Hermione asked him to meet her. Draco had always planned their little rendezvouses and Hermione had always gone along with this arrangement. He knew it must be very important for her to call upon him like this

Draco looked up at his wife and son, he hated doing this to them but he also owed Granger this and much more. "I hate to ruin a lovely afternoon, but I have to go down to the office." Draco abruptly told Pansy. She looked up at him and replied " But Draco, it's a Saturday…" Draco had to think quickly, "Remember that match where the keeper hexed one of the other team's chasers…. Well they decided to give him a hearing and we have to be prepared for it by Monday. I'm really sorry Pans." She looked a little upset, but tried to hide it as she told him it was okay and that she would just bring Scorpius over to visit Lucius. Much as he hated the idea, Draco quickly agreed to it.

It was a short while later, when Draco found himself kissing Pansy and Scorpius goodbye as they took the floo to his father's new home. His mood was somewhat grim cause he hated it when Pansy took their son to see Lucius. He was also a bit nervous over Hermione's letter. It took all his concentration to focus on his intended destination. He arrived safely on Hermione's front porch and was relieved he hadn't managed to splinch himself. Mustering up all the calm he could he knocked loudly on the door. He was quite surprised at how quickly the door was answered.

Hermione was visibly upset and as Draco entered the front room, she threw her arms around him crying out, "I was so afraid you wouldn't come!" "Its all right little lioness. I'm right here." he whispered gently to her as he kissed away the tears that had begun to fall from her eyes. Draco had never seen Hermione this upset. Not even back in school when he'd called her mud blood. Sure, he'd seen her plenty mad, especially back in third year when she'd popped him in the nose, but he'd never seen her cry like this.

Draco pulled her over to the sofa, sitting her gently down. He put his arms around her trying to make her calm down. "Whatever it is… It can't be all this bad now can it?" Hermione pulled away from him, visibly scared of what she was about to tell him. Draco gave her a serious look "Come now… Out with it" he said harshly. A bit harsher than intended yet he made no apologies. Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly as she let the words spill out. "Draco, I'm pregnant" There was pained silence as Draco sat and stared at her in utter shock and disbelief. He couldn't quite grasp what she was saying.

How could this have happened? They had always been so careful. Then it came back to him, an image of his drunken self crawling here for comfort. He had been so angry and so drunk that all thoughts of contraceptive spells had flown out the window. It had been a night of unbridled passion and now they would pay for it. Draco looked up realizing that she was waiting for his reaction only he didn't know how to react to such news. He didn't know what to do or what to say…. His perfect world was suddenly being ripped apart. Everything was about to collide. How could he keep everything together without hurting the people he loved. For once Draco Malfoy wasn't sure what to do….