Draco's Choice

Chapter 11 by HPFangirl71

A/N: Sorry this chapter has taken so long but I was busy with my other story and also wasn't quite sure where to go with this story, I wanted to show all the mixed emotions of everyone involved in the situation, I hope I've done it justice, thanks for reading and be sure to review.

Ron and Hermione were at St. Mungo's waiting…. Draco was several minutes late meeting them. Ron spoke up harshly "He's not going to show… He's worthless Hermione, you know it!" Hermione was irritated by his attitude and upset with Draco for being late. How could he do this to her or their daughter, after all his promises… She was about to give up on him, when he came rushing in out of breath. "Hermione, I'm sorry I'm late." She replied, " Well… better late than never I guess…" He could see how hurt she felt and it tore him up inside.

They all entered the room where the medi wizard was awaiting them. She greeted them all warmly, then had Hermione lay on the hospital bed with her belly exposed. Ron hovered beside her as Draco stood to the side waiting… The medi wizard quickly whispered an incantation, both her wand and hand placed firmly on Hermione's belly. A silvery mist rose up from her stomach to form a hovering cloud. Within the cloud the form of Hermione's baby could clearly be seen.

Draco was dazzled by the sight of his daughter. It was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. He'd unfortunately missed out on all this when Pansy had been pregnant with Scorpius. Busy with the game of Quidditch and his position as seeker with the Falcons. He couldn't keep the smile off his face as he turned to look at Hermione. Her eyes too were shining with love and pride. The thing that troubled Draco was Ron's arm across her shoulder and his hand intertwined with hers. That should've been Draco holding her hand, but his mistakes continued to haunt him. "She's beautiful Hermione." he said aloud. "Just like her mother…" he whispered. Draco was sure Hermione had heard him tho. She looked at him with a faint blush colouring her cheeks and said "Thank You." Draco wanted nothing more than to reach out and caress those soft pink cheeks. To make her lips swollen from his kisses and to hear her moan from the headiness of his touch.

Draco pulled himself away from his erotic thoughts to listen to the medi wizard. She was explaining how the baby's magical aura had grown slightly. "At this rate she'll be performing magic at birth." Hermione smiled with pride at that. She turned to look at Draco who smiled adoringly at her. Blushing she quickly turned back to the baby. The medi wizard was talking more about how healthy the baby seemed, when suddenly she turned to Hermione and said "Have you chosen a name for this young witch?" Hermione seemed a bit embarrassed at having to admit she hadn't given it much thought. Draco saw his opportunity and spoke up. "How about Isis? She was a goddess you know…" Hermione looked curiously at Draco, "Yes I know who Isis was and it's a very pretty name but I'm not sure it would sound right with… Weasley." Draco's eyes looked enraged as he spoke. "I'll not have my child carrying the Weasley name even if you are going to marry him" he said disdainfully. "I thought maybe she could carry the Malfoy name, but if your opposed to that then Granger's fine with me too."

Both Hermione and Ron looked at Draco as if he'd just sprouted two heads. Ron was visibly upset and angry at Draco's outburst. Hermione on the other hand was just shocked. "Draco you do realize that if she carries the Malfoy name, everyone will know she's yours… and I do mean everyone." She looked up at him, waiting for him to change his mind. Draco looked at her and calmly replied, "Don't worry about Pansy or my father, I'll deal with them. This baby is my blood and she'll be treated as such. I want her in my life as much as possible. I screwed up with her mother, pushing her into another man's arms. I won't make that mistake again." Hermione was touched by his words and found it hard to rein in her feelings for him.

Hermione reached out both her hands to the two men. The medi wizard had finished up, she said her goodbyes and left the room. Hermione looked at both men and said "Well… Isis Malfoy it is. Thank you Draco for thinking of it. It's a very beautiful name. Ron you don't mind do you?" Ron looked down at her, "Its okay Hermione, I understand… you know how I feel tho." Draco looked him straight in the eye. "How exactly is that Weazlebee?" Ron couldn't keep it in any longer. "You're an arrogant git Malfoy and you don't deserve the gift Hermione's giving you by letting you in this child's life! They both deserve better than you! You're still nothing but a slimy evil death eater and you'll never change!" He spat out in anger at him. Draco looked equally as angry which worried Hermione slightly. "Yes Weasley, you would only see the death eater I used to be even after all these years. That's okay tho, if I'm just an evil death eater, then all you'll ever be is a pathetic loser living in the shadow of the great Harry Potter!" Draco shouted at Ron. Hermione grabbed hold of his arm as he pulled his wand out and pointed it at Draco. "Please Ron stop! I don't want this…" she pleaded with him. Ron gave Draco one last look of searing hatred and then stormed out of the room.

Hermione turned to draco "Give him some time Draco, he'll come around." Draco laughed sarcastically. "Please Hermione, don't patronize me. Its been years now and if he hasn't changed his mind yet he never will!" Hermione looked as if she were about to protest but thought better of it and instead changed the subject. "Draco… theres a rumour going around that your not living at the manor anymore. I was just curious if it was true and why…" Draco smiled at her. "Hermione don't beat around the bush, yes its true… Pansy and I are separated. The divorce should be final by the time Isis is born." His voice cracked as he fought back the tears. "I finally made my choice, only when I did it was too late. I still love you lioness…" He hastily kissed her on the cheek and rushed out of the room. Hermione was left all alone, her hand caressing the spot his lips had touched. Tears glistened in her eyes as she silently wondered if she was still making the right decision by marrying Ron…