Chapter Fifty-Eight
Hermione, Draco, Aurelia, Blaise, Neville, Luna, Dean and Pansy all turned up at St. Mungo's an hour later. A harassed looking mid-witch bustled them into a waiting room. "Only three visitors at a time!" She said, looking very grumpy.
"You two can go in first." Neville said as Fred and George entered the room looking proud.
"Told you!" Said Fred.
"Shut up!" George snapped.
"I'm not sure I should intrude." Draco told Hermione, feeling slightly unsure that he would be welcome.
"Oh come on!" Hermione said grabbing his hand. They found Harry and Ginny in a private room, the pair looked very happy but also very tired.
"Hermione!" Ginny said, pleased to see her friend, "Harry told me what happened, you didn't have to come."
"And miss out on seeing my new favourite Potter." Hermione said looking down into the beautiful blue eyes of a healthy baby boy.
Harry shook Draco's hand again. "Congratulations." Draco said kindly.
"Thanks," Harry said with pride.
"Do you want to hold him?" Ginny asked Hermione.
"Try stopping me." Hermione laughed and she lifted the baby from his mothers arms, cradling him. "You are beautiful!" Hermione spoke softly to the tiny new wizard. "Draco, come and look how gorgeous he is." Draco walked over to Hermione, thinking how natural she looked with the baby, and considering their future together. He put his arm around her and looked down at the baby, hoping a tender moment like this might one day include their own child.
"Suits you both!" Ginny laughed, "Don't they make a gorgeous couple Harry." Ginny said.
"I guess they do." Harry said in truth.
"What's his name?" Draco asked.
"Funny you should ask that." Ginny said with a twinkle in her eye, "My husband came back from the mission and told me he wanted to name our son Drake!"
"You're kidding." Hermione spluttered. She gave Drake back to his mother and threw her arms around Harry. "You big old softy." She said, "I am so proud of you!"
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, "I just like the name, you know!"
"Yeah, I know!" Hermione said and she looked at Draco with tears in her eyes.
Drake sneezed and a bunch of flowers beside the bed caught fire!
"Suits him!" Draco said laughing.
"Wow you're going to have your hands full if he is showing magical ability at this age." Hermione said, "You've got yourself a little genius there.
"I guess he takes after his mother then." Draco teased.
…...
"I had a wonderful weekend with you." Hermione told Draco as he accompanied her on the train back to Hogwarts, "Despite the whole demonic attack, possessed lover, crazy shamen thing, I think it was the most fun I have had in a very long time."
"I feel just the same way." Draco said, "I wish I didn't have to leave you. I wish I could be by your side every single day."
"Me too!" Hermione said, "Do you really have to go back to America?"
"Well, my apartment has been rented out, and I have to sort some things out over there, so I don't have any choice in the matter. I am so sorry."
"If only things had been different," Hermione said, "If I hadn't been attacked on All Saints Day, none of this would've happened."
"Don't say that!" Draco said, "No matter what has happened, I wouldn't change a thing. We will find a way to be together."
"I know. But I don't want to have to wait!" Hermione said, tears now streaming down her face. "I love you!"
"I love you too!"
The train pulled into Hogsmeade station and Draco carried Hermione's bags off the train. "I will get you settled in, then I'll have to be going." Draco said as they made their way up the long driveway to the castle.
Once the couple were up in Hermione's rooms the reality of their imminent separation hit home. Hermione held onto Draco as though her life depended on it and Draco embraced her tightly trying to memorize every inch of her, familiarizing himself with her scent, the sound of her breathing, the softness of her hair and the smoothness of her skin, but their embrace was short-lived and soon they exchanged an emotional farewell. After a tender kiss Draco took a pinch of floo powder from on top of the fireplace and threw it into the fire.
"21M Hightower Rise." He said clearly, and Hermione watched through blurry eyes as he disappeared in a flurry of green flames.