I do not own Harry Potter or make any money off this fic. All rights belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros., etc, etc.
The next day dawned bright and sunny, though the wind around the towers of the castle blew hard and fast, making the stone floors chilly and the air inside the dorms crisp. Hermione woke up, no less certain of her future, but perhaps a little more confident of her decision. She and Ginny had spent the better part of yesterday discussing the options, guessing at who the substitute would be, and making lists of the things Hermione would need for her new rooms. She had received a note yesterday afternoon from Professor McGonagall, informing her that she would not be moved to the new rooms until just after Christmas; that they would come up with a suitable explanation for the move without revealing the pregnancy, if necessary. The woman had also sent along a new schedule for her of private lessons with Madame Pomfrey for regular check-ups and information on prenatal care; and lessons with Professor Snape on Occlumency and the like, for she would likely need such skills if the lie were to hold. One thing was certain in Hermione's mind: no matter who they chose as the surrogate father, the Death Eaters would not accept his word without question. However, she was willing to believe Dumbledore that this was the best way to keep the two of them- how odd to think of herself as two, now- safe.
She was the first one up, as usual, and had the bathroom to herself. She took her time with the hot water, luxuriating in the shower and letting the heat work the knots of tension from her neck. When she stepped from the shower stall, she wrapped herself in her robe and walked across the bathroom to look in the mirror. She liked what she saw: slim, damp, dark curls upon her head, bright brown eyes. She smiled and then wiped at the mirror, leaving a streak of water drops across it. What was the point of vanity, of enjoying one's own beauty? It was wasteful and weak. She sniffed and left the bathroom, eager to cover her naked body and go down to the common room. Every spare minute would be spent studying these next few months; she now had not only her regular school work to cover, but the new subjects to consider as well. Why pause to look at her body and feel sad about losing it when it would be right there after the birth of the child- perhaps a little more stretched and scarred, but still there. She wasn't losing anything, really. What poppycock. Throwing on her clothes and muttering a drying spell for her hair before sweeping it back into a knot, she grabbed her books and made for the common room. She would be meeting Ginny in another half hour to go down to Dumbledore's office together and she wanted to use as much time before hand as possible to collect her thoughts and calm her racing heart. And that was always best done with books.
Certainly not Ron, as her aching heart kept trying to tell her.
Unfortunately, she didn't have any recovery time as he was exactly the person she found waiting down in the common room. No Lavender around this time; no other students up and about yet, the early morning light just barely streaming in through the frosty window panes…
He turned his head towards her and smiled weakly. "Hello," he said quietly.
Rather than answer, she pressed her lips together in a firm line and marched forward from the steps over to a table. Setting her satchel down, she yanked a chair out and plopped down before beginning to pull some books out. She didn't look back at him. Hermione could hear Ron sigh and then get up from the sofa and walk over to her. She refused to look up from her school books and continued to turn pages mutely, hoping the anger and shame emanating from her in waves would give him the hint.
Either Ron was very stupid or very, very sorry, because he didn't take the hint and he certainly didn't leave. Instead, he pulled out the other chair opposite her and sat down as well.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Hermione frowned and responded without looking up. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, Ron! Can't you even cast the appropriate spells first?" Then she pulled out her wand and immediately cast several silencing and illusion charms. "Or are you trying to inadvertently get us both killed in a subconscious attempt to take responsibility?" she concluded, before snapping her attention back to the page before her.
Ron shifted in his seat. "Hermione, you don't have to do this- I don't- I mean, what I'm trying to say is-"
Hermione felt her heart race even faster as he spoke. Was he trying to tell her he didn't like Lavender at all? That he wanted her and their baby? She felt her eyes look up to him of their own accord. His blue eyes were looking right into hers, his mouth open, ready to say something so, so important…
The moment was gone in an instant as Ginny burst onto the scene. The younger girl practically tripped down the last steps into the common room and immediately knelt to tie the lace that had stopped her progress. She looked up at the two of them.
"Hi, all," she muttered, her eyes flashing quickly from one person to the next and back. "Everyone ready to go make an Unbreakable?" She stood and brushed her robes off as she slung her book bag over a shoulder. Walking over to the table, she eyed Ron as she spoke to Hermione. "How did you sleep? Did you take the potions Pomfrey gave you?"
Hermione finally broke off her gaze from Ron's and looked up to her friend. "Yes to both questions. Well, I suppose if we're all here then we should head down now."
Ron placed his hands on the table and shoved himself out the chair and away from the two of them. "Right. Let's get this over with," he replied. His voice, if Hermione had listened a little more closely, sounded gruff, like it often did when he was trying to hide emotion. In this case, disappointment mingled with regret. Ron knew his relationship with Hermione would never be the same now, and for what? Over jealousy that she had kissed Krum two years ago? Over some blond bimbo of a witch he didn't even love, that he had no intention of spending the rest of his life with? And that it could have been Hermione- brilliant, shining witch that she was- tore him apart inside. He had loved her and used her very ill all at once. He should have stopped them that day in the storage room- he knew where it was headed and he had gladly accepted her anyway- eager to feel her instead of Lavender, for once- eager to have the witch he dreamed of…and so he'd taken her, without breaking things off with Lavender first, without treating Hermione respectfully, without telling her that it was her he loved, and not her classmate. He'd lost his chance to make things right with her. The least he could do now was give her what she wanted: a safe future for a child he might never see and a life without him in it as anything more than a friend.
He opened the door and left the tower without another word, Ginny and Hermione following him a few yards behind; the latter witch's eyes were glued to the floor in front of her, her cheeks bright pink with repressed anger and sorrow. Ginny watched her brother's back as they walked, talking to Hermione in quiet tones the whole time. She could feel the tension in the room when she had entered earlier and had known what Ron was up to immediately. He was scared of their decisions; he wanted out of his relationship with Lavender; and wanted Hermione back now that he knew he could have her for life, if he cared enough. Hermione was the kind of girl who liked one guy; who wanted to have kids with just one person; marry just one person.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. Ron wasn't the right wizard, of that much she was certain. Her friend was brilliant- she deserved someone who complemented her and complimented her. One that would take care of her always; not go out with another girl and flaunt his relationships because he didn't know how to tell a girl he liked her. It was ridiculous. So, even though she knew Hermione had doubts about the decision and was still very much in love with her brother, she was determined to see the match destroyed…because for all his posturing, Ron wasn't in love with Hermione. It was plain as the day she was born, which, come to think of it, had been windy and rainy, her mum had told her. She smiled to herself and tucked her arm through Hermione's, tugging the other girl along. Well, she hadn't been against the match all along. For a really long time, in fact, she had just assumed Ron and Hermione were already dating; most of the school had. Now, however, she knew better and was determined to see Hermione wait it out for someone who truly deserved her. Ron was not that wizard. Her mum would back her up on that any day, she was certain.
Hermione was quiet the whole way to Dumbledore's office, listening to Ginny's soothing words and aimless chatter; watching the way her feet hit the stones beneath them; wondering if she would need to buy new shoes before the whole ordeal was over. She still hadn't quite come to terms with the fact that she was pregnant; it was so unreal for her- she wasn't even able to think of the thing inside her as her baby. What were the odds she would ever see it after it was born, anyhow? If her life was truly being targeted by Voldemort now, the odds that she would be able to keep the child, even after it being claimed by a Death Eater, were slim. What Death Eater in his right mind would trade his pureblood status and his own personal safety in order to save not only a baby that wasn't his, but her life as well? The reality of the situation hit her hard then, and she paused just as the trio reached the gargoyle guarding the entrance to the headmaster's office.
Ginny looked back to her and grimaced. "Hermione? Are you feeling ill again?"
Her friend shook her head. "No, it's just that all of this-" she gestured helplessly. "All the secrets, from your family and mine- from Harry, even? Over a child I'm bearing but might never see? I- oh, wait," she stopped short, throwing a hand over her mouth. Perhaps it had been morning sickness all along and not anxiety. Hermione could see that it was going to be hard to tell the difference.
Ginny's eyes widened. "Uh, Ron, get out of the way now, you oaf, or help me get her up the stairs, quick!"
He turned and saw the panic on Ginny's face and the ill sheen upon Hermione's and within the next second the three of them were taking the steps two at a time, after threatening a disgruntled gargoyle with vomit. Ron heaved against the door and practically threw his little sister and Hermione inside before entering the room himself, a little more slowly. Their entrance was greeted with silence and Ron and Ginny stopped short- only Hermione made any noise, kneeling on the floor in front of Dumbledore's only wastebasket, wretching up whatever she'd eaten for dinner last night. She didn't notice anything untoward until she sat back up, face flushed and chest still heaving, to the strains of dueling preparations on Ron's part.
And yelling on the part of her professors, of course.
"Mister Weasley, that is quite unnecessary, I assure you!"
"Albus, will you please do something about this young twerp before he kills Miss Granger's only hope?"
Then another familiar voice drawled right over her kneeling form. "I can handle myself, thanks anyway, Professor. It appears Granger can't, though."
Hermione turned her face upward towards the young man in possession of said voice and blinked warily, still lifting the sleeve of her robe to wipe at the corners of her mouth. The boy- wizard, really- reached a hand down towards her and offered her a handkerchief, which she accepted, before also offering a hand to help her up. It was rather astonishing, really.
She threw up again and Draco chuckled. "Well, I suppose you'd best stay there for now. Can I get you anything? Tea? A cushion for your knees?"
"What, so she can stay on the floor where a muggle like her belongs, is that what you mean, Malfoy?" Ron spat.
Draco turned on him dangerously quick and frowned. "Those are your words, Weasel, not mine. And since when are you so quick to defend her honor, anyhow? Aren't you the reason she's in this situation?"
Ron's face paled and he shut up, crossing his arms angrily and looking away. Draco turned back to Hermione. "Let me know if you need anything," he murmured coolly, resting one hand on her shoulder.
She stiffened at first, but found his touch was gentle and reassuring, rather than commanding and aggressive. Well, she supposed he meant it to be reassuring. And it was rather nice of him to stick up for her in front of Ron that way. Still, he was probably just being nice because he had decided he didn't like being a Death Eater and was turning coward. So she was the perfect out for him- doing something good for their side, and all. Well, she wasn't going to make it too easy for him. It wasn't like she wanted him to marry her or anything.
Hermione directed a curt smile over her shoulder at him before shrugging his hand off. He let go easily, however, and returned to his seat. What she didn't know was that it had taken a great deal of persuasion and pleading to get him to consent to this position, finally. He had taken the Unbreakable Vow yesterday, as promised, but when he had discovered the father's identity…
"Well, now that's done with," Draco murmured, almost as if bored by the whole affair. He fell back into his seat and crossed his legs. "So tell me, who's the father? My bets are on dear Potter, of course. I've heard talk of Weasley as well, but that must be nonsense. They're so ill suited to one another."
Snape rolled his eyes and Albus seemed to grimace. "Actually, Mister Malfoy, it is Mister Weasley. I hope this won't change your position-"
Draco had sat back up immediately, eyes flashing as he turned to Snape. "Weasley? Weasley? I'm to pretend to be father to his half-breed? That blood traitor?"
At his words, Dumbledore had lost his patience and stood up. "Silence!" Draco had stopped his rant and turned to watch the old man warily. "Is it not enough that we give you the opportunity of a lifetime- a reason to befriend the brightest witch of your age and learn from her- the chance to switch allegiance with no questions? Must you also insult some of our finest families, Mister Malfoy? Perhaps-" he paused in his tirade, "I was mistaken with out choice of you. Since you have already made the Vow, you may go if you wish. We will find someone else."
It had only been at threat of losing such a perfect opportunity, as the old coot had put it, that Draco had grudgingly accepted the final offer. Still, the knowledge that it was Weasley's baby…it rankled. It seriously did, and not just because he hated the git and his entire family; but because it was insulting, to realize that Granger would have willingly slept with the idiot- even that she had wanted to, well. He supposed hormones were responsible for quite a lot at their ages. He watched her toss the last of her cookies and then wobble unsteadily to her feet. She glanced over at him once more, her gaze curious and a little disapproving, before she took a seat next to Ginny.
So, no hysterics either. That was also interesting. He turned his own gaze back to Dumbledore and waited patiently and disinterestedly for the old man to finish explaining things.
"So the three of you are ready? You have not changed you mind, Miss Granger?"
Hermione nodded solemnly and gripped Ginny's hand. Dumbledore eyed her pale face and finally stepped out from around his desk.
"Very well, then. Let us complete the exchange. I will perform the Vow with each one of you, excepting Mister Malfoy, as he made the Vow yesterday."
Hermione raised her eyebrows in surprise and couldn't help but sneak a glance in Draco's direction. She could hardly believe her ears; he had made the vow already, knowing that Ron was the father and was still here? He was still willing to go through with it? She bit her lower lip thoughtfully. Was it possible that Harry was right about him? It all seemed a bit suspicious, but one could never tell…no, she had resolved to go easy on him this year. She would never be well pleased with him, certainly, but Draco had suffered some, finally, and that was enough punishment. Perhaps he had learned his lesson. It couldn't be easy, having one's father in a place like Azkaban.
Draco felt her watching him and resisted the urge to smirk. If he was going to do this properly- and the thought did make his stomach turn a bit- then he needed her to trust him. Not just tolerate him, as she had seemed to do this far into the year, but actually trust him. Perhaps even like him a little. So no smirking, unless appropriate and no leering, certainly. He could even stand to continue opening doors and allowing her the use of his handkerchiefs- those could be laundered, so it wasn't a problem. In fact, if he pretended she was a pureblood, he could probably even manage to be more than nice…only when necessary, of course.
Rather than smirk, he allowed a small smile to curve his mouth. He felt her eyes flicker away from him- he had startled her with that, had he? How interesting, indeed. He raised his eyes to the old wizard once again.
Ginny was making the Vow, her eyes fearful despite the defiant tilt of her head. Still, she cast one more look to her friend as she said the final words and then it was done. The tongues of flame burned brightly before they melted away, leaving the magic of the vow upon her person. She looked up to Dumbledore for reassurance.
"Well done, Miss Weasley. Thank you for your compliance and your courage. You may leave now, if you wish, unless Miss Granger would prefer you to stay."
Ginny didn't even bother looking at Hermione this time. "I'm staying until you kick me out," she said firmly before returning to her seat, head held high.
Hermione grasped her hand again as soon as she was seated. Ron replaced her in front of the headmaster and stuck his arm out, looking just a little red around the ears. He was either scared or still upset over Malfoy, Hermione decided. Then she dismissed the thought and went back to being frustrated and angry with him.
After Ron managed to stammer and sputter his way through the Vow, it was finally Hermione's turn. She stood up and walked slowly over to Dumbledore, taking the hand he offered with no hint of nerves or doubt. She knew- she knew- that this was the best course of action for the innocent life inside her. Perhaps not for herself or her friends, but for this child, yes. She was doing what was, if not exactly moral, extremely sensible in her current situation.
Professor McGonagall was the witch performing the Vow on them- Hermione could only assume it had been Snape in Draco's case. She wondered, briefly, if either professor would need to make the Vow as well before she decided that it didn't matter. Although Snape was not the nicest of men, both he and McGonagall were trustworthy- she was putting her life in their hands, wasn't she? That was sign enough that she trusted them; perhaps more than Harry or Ron, even. For although both boys had been her good friends since First Year, they were still only boys. Teenagers, not yet familiar with maturity and loyalty above all else. They were unknown elements in the equation of her future, though she would have given her life for either of them at any moment.
Well, for Harry, at least. She wasn't sure how she felt about Ron anymore. Something had changed after that encounter…and now this. No, she was certain she would never love Ron in the same way again. Her life was no longer hers- it was forfeit for the sake of the life growing inside her. No more selfish choices anymore…
Before she knew it, the Vow was over. She was almost ashamed of herself for going on autopilot through one of the most important moments in her life. And what if she had missed some part, some noose that would tighten because she accidentally said the wrong thing to the wrong person? She smiled sheepishly and made a note to ask Ginny about it later. Then she let go of the headmaster's hand and looked up at him.
"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore," she murmured.
He raised his eyebrows. "For what, dear girl? I have put you all in grave danger, despite this being the best course of action. Everything else is merely my job. Please, think nothing of it- and know that my office is open to you whenever you need me, as it is to your friends." He patted her on the shoulder and she smiled before leaning in and giving him a fast hug. He smiled awkwardly and then leaned down over her, returning the embrace. "And be sure to ask Mister Potter where I keep my best chocolates the next time you see him," he whispered. "For either I've misplaced them or he's eaten them all."
Hermione let a small laugh bubble from her lips and then sat down again. Ginny took her hand once more. They shared a smile before Snape stood to address the small group.
"Well, I believe we have some things to discuss with the happy couple before we let them go. If you lot don't mind, that is," he sneered, addressing Ginny and Ron. Ron spluttered a bit but kept his words and fists to himself as he stalked from the office. Ginny was a bit slower to leave and gave Hermione a lingering hug before she followed her brother from the room. Before she closed the door, she sent a scowl Draco's way and he watched her with a bemused expression on his face as she motioned with two pointed fingers from her eyes to his. The expression on her face elicited a chuckle from him and then the door slammed closed, leaving the three professors and two students entirely alone.
Draco turned his attention to Hermione as soon as the door was shut. The corners of his mouth quirked upwards again and he spoke before anyone else could.
"So, where shall I take you on our first date?"
Hermione looked at him strangely, ready to be angry with him for his facetiousness…until she felt the corners of her own mouth also curling up. The young Death Eater's flippancy in the moment was nearly irresistible especially after the seriousness of the last twenty four hours.
Dumbledore watched two of his most important students in silence as they smiled at one another from across the room. He nodded to himself, hopeful for the time being. Let McGonagall and Snape tear each other apart to protect their young wards. Whether it was desperation on Malfoy's or resignation on Granger's part didn't really matter much. The two would work cooperate now, for the sake of their own safety. Perhaps, once things were sorted out a bit more, he would worry about the actual relationship between these two. For now, he would breathe a sigh of relief and focus on Harry and the Horcruxes once again.