Chapter 5

Hermione stepped out of her room with Aria at the same time Malfoy stepped out of his. They stared at each other for a minute across the common room. She blushed when she noticed that he was wearing nothing but pajamas pants and hopefully boxers. 'What has Quidditch been doing to these boys?' was what passed through her mind along with 'Woah' as her eyes passed through his abs. 'Snap out of it!' She thought looking away, heading for the portrait.

"Why do you always take her out so early?" Malfoy asked

Hermione almost jumped at the sound of his voice. "Isn't it obvious?" She asked impatiently, only briefly looking at him. "I don't want anyone seeing her, and I'm pretty sure you don't either." She snapped and walked out the portrait before he could reply.

Malfoy watched her retreating back, and plopped on the couch. He sighed as he dropped his head into his hands, remembering the sleepless night he just went through. The whole night Hermione and Aria clogged his mind. The though that burdened him the most was the thought of that night. The night he raped Hermione.

He thought about that night all the time, the guilt never leaving him. He didn't mean it, though. Voldemort had him under the Imperius Curse, thinking about just how much it will anger Potter. Only thing is Harry never even found out about that night, or at least that it was him who raped her, because he was very well alive right now. Even though he wasn't in control that night, he the guilt was definitely still there, along with the images. The screams, the tears, the pain he made her go through...the cruelty.

He ruffled his hair in frustration. Now there was Aria in the picture. When he first found out about her, all he could think about was trying to stay away, having absolutely nothing to do with her. But he couldn't resist. He followed them every time Hermione dropped her off or picked her up, making sure they were alright. He would sit right where he was sitting right now, and he would hear them in the room, giggling all the time. Sometimes, he also fell asleep himself as he listened to Hermione's soft voice singing Aria to sleep. He always seemed to desperately want to be on the other side of that door, and be with them. How could he have not? Aria's his daughter. Hermione was her mother, the mother of his daughter. They were his...family. "Hermione"He sighed

Hermione was walking out of the Hospital Wing when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her aside. "Boo" Someone whipered in her ear, causing her to squeal. With a lot of force, she jabbed the person behind her, causing to keel over. She looked at the person and gasped. 'Oh, Harry, I'm sorry."

"Remind me to never sneak up on you again." Harry grunted

"I'm so sorry. A reflex I've developed because of that night."

Harry straightened and placed a hand on her cheek. "We've never really talked about that night."

"It's not really a memory I want to reminisce."

"At least tell me who it was"

"No! You could hurt him"

"So now you're protecting him?" He asked angrily

"No, I'm protecting you! When you find out who it is, you're going to react, and then those reactions will have consequences." Hermione said, his anger reflecting on her.

"I am willing to accept those consequences as long that arse gets what he deserves!"

"Well, I'm not willing for you to accept the consequences of my problem!"

"Mione, I'm you're boyfriend! I have the right to know!"

"That is something you do not need to know. Now drop it!" She turned and started to walk down the stairs. A first year came running by, accidentally bumping into her, causing her to lose balance.

"Mione!" Harry yelled as he reached out to catch her hand to no avail. She stuck out her foot to catch herself, but there was too much force to have kept her standing. Harry rushed down the stairs to check on her. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

The small boy ran up behind them. "I am so sorry I didn't mean it!"

"It's okay, but I'll have to take five points from Hufflepuff for running in the halls. Now move along and be more careful." Hermione said softening up when she saw how scared and nervous the little boy was.

When he was gone, Hermione tried to stand up with Harry's help. A sharp pain shot through her, and she crumpled back to the floor. "I think I hurt my ankle, Harry."Harry scrunched his face. "I can see that" He looked at her ankle, noticing the swell that was forming. "I better get you to the Hospital Wing."

"What's going on here?"

Hermione looked at the top of the stairs and saw Malfoy looking back at her. She cursed under her breath as he made his way towards them. "It's nothing Malfoy."

"Doesn't look like nothing to me Granger."

"Back off Malfoy, I've got it under control." Harry said icily.

"Potter, it is my duty as Head Boy to make sure everything is under control."

"Well everything is under control."

"I'll be the judge of that!"

"Harry!" Hermione interrupted. "Can you take me to the Hospital Wing now? Please!"

Malfoy felt worry pass through him, but tried to hide it. "Are you hurt, Granger?" He asked coolly

"No, I just enjoy randomly falling on my arse." She said sarcastically

"! I have been looking all over for you. Might I have a word?" McGonagall said walking towards the three.

"Professor, can it wait? I have to take Hermione to the Hospital Wing." Harry replied

"Miss Granger are you hurt?"

"Just my ankle." Hermione told her.

"Very well, Mr. Malfoy will assist you. He is Head Boy after all. Come on ." McGonagall ordered, gesturing for him to follow her.

Harry looked at Hermione worriedly. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips. "I'll check up on you later." He whispered, and she nodded.

Malfoy glared angrily as he watched Harry kiss Hermione. Watching Harry leave, he carefully picked her up, and silently carried her to the Hospital Wing, not wanting to lash his anger on her. "Madame Pomfrey?" He called out as he laid Hermione on a bed.

Madame Pomfrey came out of her office. "Miss Granger, what happened?"

"I accidentally got knocked down the stairs by a first year." Hermione said sheepishly. Malfoy snorted, causing her to send a glare his way.

Madame Pomfrey studied her swollen ankle. "Well this could easily be fixed by a potion.'

"Great" Hermione said

"But we are out of stock of a couple ingredients for that potion at the moment."

"So, what does that mean?" Malfoy asked, as Hermione's ankle was being wrapped

"We'll just have to do it the muggle way." Madame Pomfrey notice his face scrunch at the thought. "I don't trust it that much though, so I would like you to stay in bed. Absolutely no pressure on this ankle."

"But what about classes?" Hermione protested

"Mr. Malfoy can easily bring you your work."

"I can't fully take care of Aria in bed."

"I'm sure Mr. Malfoy would do just fine with her." Madame Pomfrey suddenly remembered the child. "Well I'll go check on her now. Mr. Malfoy you can take her to her room now."

Hermione looked at her in horror, and Malfoy grinned. "Looks like you can't keep me away from our daughter after all."

"You better not hurt her!"

He put a comforting hand on her cheek. "Relax, I'll take great care of her. I'll even do it in front of you if it makes you feel better." He smiled at the thought of being able to spend more time with them. "I'll take great care of both of you."