Disclaimer:I don't own anything but my imagination and whatever else is in this story that doesn't make sense. I was inspired by another romance novel i read and J.K. Rowlings wonderful world. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
"Wrapped so Pretty"
The attorney arrived precisely on time the following hour. He was young, older than Draco of course, but younger than most that handled magical law. This young wizard had the eyes of a shark and when unleashed, he had the heart of a shark as well. He was shrewd, aggressive, and never left behind a trace that would lead back to any of his clients and the Malfoy's were his most valuable. The young barrister looked thoughtfully at Draco as he tapped the papers with his quill and began the start of what he knew would be a heartless marriage.
Draco vowed to not let her get away with this, he would build a team of magical law advisors to find out what was important to her. The very best people to investigate her so called quiet life after Potter. He wanted to know everything and once he did, he would then know exactly what he would take away and how to ruin her life. He made up his mind years ago to always protect the people he loved. His family and relatives, his mom and dad. His parents were dealing with their own wounds and didn't need his problems adding to their pain. As for the baby….everyone always considered him, Draco evil for as long as he could remember. What would happen to a kid that was a Malfoy reject? How could a kid live through this life if he were born a throw-away? Hated by halfbloods for being a Malfoy, but then hated by purebloods for not being pure at all. He despised her for not caring for the future respect of the poor kid, nor giving a damn about his.
The very next morning an hour before the wedding Hermione was so filled with dread and regret that she couldn't eat. She knew she needed to for the baby's sake, but her heart simply wouldn't let her swallow. It took place an dark underground office of an prominent, American-wizard belonging to the Magical Congress of the United States of America and it lasted less than twenty minutes. The department of MACUSA worked quickly and filed the documents safely were no flowers, no friends for either of them and no kiss. At the end of the ceremony she was taken aside by the Malfoy's barrister and told that all forms of communications would be handle through him to minimize any communication with Draco until after the birth of their child. Other than the brief accepting of the wedding vows, Draco did not speak to her at all. When it was finally over they left at different times. Hermione was thankful for that. She would not have to see him again, until after she had her baby and that would be months away.
Unfortunately, a very old, wise and well seasoned Rita Skeeter acted on a anonymous tip leaked to her by one of the healers from the hospital. And also a ministry clerk, that stood in as a witness for the ceremony offered to sell her bits of the story for a hefty price. With a swish of her quill, Rita deposited both the clerks requested amount and the Healer's requested sum into Gringotts and wrote the story of the secret marriage between the wizarding world's newest phenomenal witch, Hermione Granger and Quidditch super star Draco Malfoy.
The saga of Rita Skeeter began.
"I hate you for doing this, I'll never forgive you." Hermione hissed as she snatched up more of her clothing and another book, shoving them into a small travelers sac, where they instantly shrunk to grant a bit more room.
"Just you remember who showed up wearing that ridiculous bow around her neck." Draco sat and thumbed through a muggle magazine he found downstairs. He was dressed wearing a dark sports coat, grey cardigan and jeans. He settled in a chair, as she bustled about gathering her things. He had come with two house elves to help and had no idea what was taking her so damn long.
It was Friday, only five days after their wedding ceremony and now everything had flipped upside down. Hermione had been bombarded by photographers and journalist from multiple wizarding sources. They were at her job and waiting along her floo connections, even in the stores. Papers were printing and being delivered by owls all over London. She couldn't leave the privacy of her home, and she had missed yesterday's prenatal visit to her doctor.
A third house elf arrived to gather her next load of books. "Congratulations! We are so excited to serve you, we're all so happy for you and master." Hermione forced a smile and said thank you to the tiny creature.
Draco eyed her but said nothing.
Hermione held her last finished bag in her hand. She was still against the use of elves to perform duties for her, but with her current condition she figured she shouldn't strain anymore than she had too. Just looking at him sitting there, working the poor creatures without so much as lifting a finger unnerved her. If the man ever held a kind-hearted thought in his head, he concealed it well.
She dropped the overstuffed sac next to him. "Would you please carry this for me?" she asked.
Hermione had arranged her hair in a loose French twist, held by her favorite clamp, a style she had always liked because it was neat and timeless. Her jewelry was minimal, small diamond knots in her ears and a formal wedding band made of English pewter. It sparkled along the face that was scattered with round-brilliant cut diamonds. Draco's attorney had purchased it in time for the ceremony. Draco had requested a simple band for himself, but Hermione's however was remarkably breathtaking. Even he had to admire its lure, but it looked strange on her hand, and he pretended it wasn't there.
"Draco, would you please carry this?"
He looked up from the boring magazine. "Why should I, that's their job or haul it yourself if you like."
"I'm pregnant, and I can't. Or rather I shouldn't and the poor dears have done their part, its only one bag."
He glared at her, and snatched up the contents. "Let's get this understood. I'm not a bellhop." he stormed past her and shoved the bag to the elf standing there. "I need a drink." he said and waited for her by the door.
"So you're an alcoholic then, I don't find that surprising you had a drink in your hand the first night we meet. I shouldn't be surprised I suppose."
"You don't know crap."
"Crap!…" she said beneath her breath. "you have a charming vocabulary. It's Pungent."
"At least I don't sound like that old hag McGonagall when I talk. How much longer do you plan to take, or will you need more time to burp up more of those big words."
"I'm sorry, so with the next big word I use, I'll be sure to do it slow enough, so that maybe you'll be able to recognize a few of them."
She knew sparring with him like this was a bit juvenile but it was at least a step up from the hostile silence that left her nerves ragged and her eyes searching for the quickest exit.
Hermione notice that he went out of his way to avoid even the slightest distance between them. Which was fine by her, but rather than assuring her of her safety in being with him, it made her feel as if she had no idea what he'd do should he get his hands on her. She hated being frighten, she had never been afraid of him before, and though they had always been at war with one another she felt as if she'd known him her whole life. She knew she was very much in the wrong, but had made up her mind that she would meet his belligerent nature head on. No matter what, she wouldn't let him suspect that deep down she was flat out terrified for the safety of her child whenever he was near.
With this catastrophic change of events in the past few days. Hermione had arrived at St. Mungos two days after their wedding, to find an army of reporters and strangers with cameras shouting questions at her, shoving quick quills and self-autographing books in her face. Yes, even a book was in circulation about their new family to be, and she had not the slightest idea how they'd managed to produce hundreds of copies so damn quickly. She pushed through the crowd and made a dash for the Healer's office where Julie had meet her with a awestruck look. A famously known Rita Skeeter stood beside Julie, quick-quote quill in hand. Julie rushed over and handed Hermione a box of letters she receiving by owls all morning, including one howler that had been signed especially from Draco.
Julie looked timid as she held out the vibrating red envelope for Hermione to take. Rita, held her breath with anticipation. The letter erupted with Draco's voice the moment she touched it.
NICE MESS YOU'VE MADE. WE'RE LEAVING TONIGHT. I'LL BE THERE PROMPTLY AT FIVE O'CLOCK TO HELP YOU RETRIEVE YOUR DAMN THINGS. THERE'S A PLACE NOT FAR FROM HERE...
She could hear his sneer even through the howler as if he were standing there in the flesh.
AS OF FIVE O'CLOCK TODAY, YOU'RE TAKING ONE OF THOSE -WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? -A TEMPORARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE...
"I certainly will not be." she shouted back at the howler in return.
THE ARRANGEMENT WITH YOUR JOB HAVE BEEN MADE...
"What is he talking about?" Hermione shot a glance towards Julie, who shrugged in confusion.
YOU SHOULD REPORT TO PROFESSOR HELBERT'S OFFICE AT ONCE. HE HAS SET THE REQUEST IN ORDER, WHEN I ARRIVE FOR YOUR DEPARTURE I'LL NOT HEAR A BLOODY WORD ABOUT IT HERMIONE...
The shouting stopped and the howler dropped to the hospital floor. She immediately marched towards the office of Professor Helbert, while Rita lifted the howler as if it were made of precious gold. Once in the presence of the Head Healer she discovered that Draco was giving the hospital a major endowment equal to that of his father's yearly donation. Professor Helbert said it was a token of his appreciation for their flexibility regarding her early request for the upcoming months. She could tell from the look on the pureblood's face he was not put out with releasing her from his service at all, and Draco's donation only sweetened the deal. She felt impotent and humiliated. With nothing more than a stroke of his quill, he had taken absolute control over her life.