Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other recognizable character.
A/N: I am making a very big career change (thoughts and well wishes much appreciated on this endeavor) so things might be a bit slower to update. I promise I won't abandon this story. Hermione is about 26/27 weeks here.
Thirteen
The rest of her day passed without any further incidents though she wasn't immune to the pointed stares and whispers as she walked through the halls of the ministry. By the time she was to leave for her appointment she was glad for the break.
Ginny had owl'd her before that her meetings with the Holyhead to discuss whether she would return to the team had been pushed back and as such she wouldn't be making it to her appointment with her, Harry too had been called away from the office on an assignment, and so Hermione had apparated herself to the street near her midwife's office but was surprised to see the woman that was waiting for her outside the building.
"Molly!" she said in surprise as the woman stood up, "I didn't expect-"
"I hope you don't mind dear, Ginny let slip that you would be alone and I thought you might like some company."
Hermione smiled and nodded at the woman, "I would appreciate that, thank you."
They made their way inside and Hermione checked in before they sat down to wait. Hermione read through a magazine on one of the tables while Molly pulled her crocheting from her bag and started working on something with green yarn. Hermione tried not to watch the clock but as the minutes ticked by and they remained alone, she started to wonder if Draco had received her owl at all. It wasn't until the clock reached the time of her scheduled appointment that the door opened and the man strode in, his eyes landing on the pair of them just as someone called Hermione's name from the doorway.
Hermione heaved herself from her chair, her back protesting the movement, and she smiled as Molly reached out to help her up then.
"Must'nt strain yourself, it's not good for the little one," the matronly witch said with a smile, "Oh hello Draco."
Hermione turned her head to catch Malfoy's eye in greeting but the wizard looked straight ahead, his gaze never meeting hers. She frowned as she walked into the appointment room and hobbled up onto the table.
She looked at Malfoy, trying to understand his coldness and she wondered if it had to do with Molly Weasley. Before she could ponder too much however the midwife arrived drowning out Hermione's thoughts with the sound of her baby's heartbeat. She was given the all clear once more and Hermione felt the tightness in her chest loosen just a smidge as she planned their next appointment and Midwife Clarke bid her farewell. She turned to ask Malfoy if he would need a reminder only to find that he had already left, without so much as a word.
Hermione was sure she was mental as she apparated outside the gates of the sprawling manor once more. This time, however, the gates were closed. The iron bars loomed ominously before her. She froze as she looked at the Malfoy insignia before her before she finally pulled her wand from her pocket and sent a patronus to the house. It was only a matter of seconds before the gates moved, clanging open loudly, and she walked through, her eyes focused ahead of her.
The house elf was waiting at the front door when she arrived and graciously took her bag and coat from her before leading her towards what Hermione could only call a sitting room. She was grateful, as it were, that they had chosen this particular room instead of another on the other side of the hall and she allowed herself to relax as she moved into the room more, taking in the portraits that hung there.
"Miss Granger," she spun around to see Narcissa Malfoy standing in the doorway, looking ever as regal as always, "To what do I owe the pleasure."
Hermione pursed her lips, "I was hoping to speak with Draco-"
"Draco was called away on business."
Hermione sighed, "Of course he was-"
The witch's lips quirked up at that and she gestured to the seats in the middle of the room, "Would you care to join me from a cup of tea?"
Hermione breathed heavily before she finally nodded, "That would be nice, thank you."
Narcissa called to the house elf as Hermione got herself settled on the sofa and before too long they had a steaming pot of tea and a tray of teacakes.
"I do hope you'll forgive Draco for his absence." Narcissa said after a moment.
"It would have been nice to know he planned on leaving is all," Hermione muttered into her teacup.
Narcissa smirked, "Of course, but then he's not used to having to answer to anyone."
Hermione wanted to point out that that wasn't her fault so much as those who raised him but decided against it; She chose instead to take a bite of a teacake to quell her sharp tongue.
"In any case, I do believe he wasn't thinking straight when he changed the plans at the last minute."
Hermione narrowed her eyes, "If he can't think straight now how am I to know-"
"He was upset Miss Granger," the witch said firmly- though not unkindly. "Although I was never one to read into gossip magazines, I can't say that my son hasn't fallen victim to them from time to time."
Realization dawned on Hermione then, at the photo that graced that morning's most circulated wizarding tabloid and she groaned, "He doesn't think… Charlie and I aren't together. I told him we're just friends."
The witch merely looked at her contemplatively and Hermione bit back the urge to swear before Narcissa finally spoke. "My son has many demons Miss Granger even more than just those that were forced onto him by his father. I hope that you would speak with him as I think hearing it from you would be best."
Hermione pinched her eyes shut and shook her head before she looked at the witch once more, "He won't even look at me."
The woman smiled as she stood up from her seat and smoothed out her dress, "Then make him Miss Granger."
Despite her best efforts the man was reclusive. Even a trip to his work office yielded successful only if you counted that she managed to talk with the receptionist- Tanya- without hexing her and she promised to pass along the message to Mister Malfoy. Hermione was also sure that the parchment went into the rubbish bin as soon as she had left.
What she had managed to do, however, was seamlessly turn the majority of wizarding England against her without even lifting a finger. It seemed as though the Weasley family was not one to be trifled with if the howlers she received at work were any indication and by Friday she decided to take a much needed personal day if only to escape the constant noise of the howlers that poor Dennis had been tasked with opening by the head of their department.
She left before lunch- much to Charlie's chagrin- and headed straight to Harry and Ginny's for some snuggle therapy- of which the harried witch of the house was only so happy to offer.
"You're a lifesaver," Ginny said as she exited the bathroom an hour later, her hair freshly washed and no longer smelling like something that came out of either end of an infant. She spied the baby sleeping happily against her chest, "You're also a natural, what did you give him?"
Hermione laughed, reaching down to run a finger along his soft chubby cheek. She wondered if her own baby would have as much squish as the littlest Potter. "Nothing, he just needed his aunt Hermione. But, speaking of which, aunt Hermione needs to use the loo-"
Ginny sighed, "Okay but if he wakes up screaming you have to stay the night."
Hermione laughed as Ginny gently- and slowly- picked up the sleeping infant and put him in the charmed moses basket that began swaying as soon as he was placed inside. Thankfully he remained asleep.
Ginny grinned, "I love magic."
Hermione excused herself and waddled to the nearest bathroom while Ginny set about making lunch for the pair of them and when she was done they sat at the table together eating and talking- as quietly as they could.
"Fourteen?" Ginny asked in disbelief as Hermione revealed how many howlers had arrived that morning.
Hermione nodded, "All before lunch,"
Harry stepped through the floo at that moment and everyone paused, holding their breath as they waited to see if the baby would wake and letting out a collective breath when he didn't. "Make that twenty-six," Harry said, sliding into another chair at the table and popping a tomato into his mouth. "I could make a statement if you want-"
Hermione groaned, "No, no need to drag you into this. I already feel bad enough as it is."
They were quiet for a moment before Harry spoke, this time to his wife, "Did your mum say if she could watch Jamie and Teddy tomorrow?"
Ginny frowned, "No, aunt Muriel's off her rocker again. Something about having the black cat flu; nevermind that it's been eradicated since the dark ages. But you can still go, I'll stay home with the boys."
Harry pouted, "I didn't really want to go alone, you know how I hate going to these things without a buffer."
Ginny turned to Hermione, "It's some banquet for the orphans of war memorial, they make a big deal of Harry well, because he is one. I like going because they always have the best assortment of wines- Hey, why don't you take Hermione."
"I don't know, they're rather dull even I have a hard time staying awake-" Harry started.
"Is Malfoy going to be there?" Hermione asked quickly, ignoring the barb.
Harry nodded, "Probably, it's right up his alley."
"I'll go," Hermione said quickly- too quickly, "I mean, if you'll let me. I'll even watch Jamie for you some night, so you and Gin can get out."
"I don't know-" Harry started again.
"Oh don't be a knob head," Ginny hissed and judging by the way Harry jumped Hermione was fairly certain that she had kicked him under the table, "We could use a night out."
Harry blinked.
"Think of all the fun you could have," Hermione said hopefully.
Ginny grinned manically, "think of all the uninterrupted sex we can have."
Harry laughed as Hermione groaned before he turned to look at her, "I'll pick you up at six."
True to his word Harry arrived promptly at six dressed in his nicest dress robes, his hair still as wild as ever.
"You look great Hermione," he smiled as he stepped through the floo.
She rolled her eyes at him. It had taken her nearly three hours to find a dress to wear and even then she had to charm it to fit her rather large front and backside into it.
"Help me zip?" she asked tightly, turning so he could zip up her gown.
"Right, all set?" Harry asked after he had finished zipping her up, wisely choosing not to comment on the effort it took, and she had turned around.
She nodded, grabbing her bag from the counter and allowing Harry to help her step into the floo.
The Parkinson estate was just as regal as Malfoy manor although they floo'd directly into an entry where house elves in little butler uniforms waited to take their bags and coats. Hermione gave Harry a look who merely shrugged and grabbed a glass of cognac from a passing server.
"What?" he asked at Hermione's look, "I'm going to need all the help I can get once they realize I'm here."
Sure enough the news that Harry Potter was in their midst traveled quickly as people came to shake hands with their chosen one. She noticed, as she stood dutifully by the man's side and scanned the crowds for the familiar blonde hair, that many of those people were 'reformed' death eaters. The thought made her shudder and she placed a protective hand upon her abdomen.
While Harry shook hands and spoke of his upbringing and his efforts to ensure his godson avoided a similar fate, Hermione tried to ignore the glances and stares that were directed towards her. While Harry was fawned over she was whispered about, their eyes darting away whenever she caught them staring. She sighed and kept on, her eyes looking until finally, blessedly, she saw him.
He was standing with a group of his peers, their suits pressed and tailored expertly, as they drank from their glasses regally. She felt out of place in her too tight dress and borrowed heels. Still, she leaned to Harry, letting him know she would be back, before she pushed through the partygoers towards where Malfoy stood.
The gawking only continued as she maneuvered her way through them and though she couldn't hear all of their words she could hear enough. She held her head high as bastard and halfblood rang through her ears because the truth was, she didn't care. Her child would be loved and wanted and that was enough. Still, the words were like bullets, chinking away at her armour and for a moment she wondered why she was even trying.
Pushing through the rest of the crowd she found the spot Malfoy had previously occupied empty but as she turned her head she saw a flash of blonde hair around the door and, on a whim, she followed it determined to at least talk to him. She followed out of the door and into the quiet stillness of the hallway, moving in the direction she had seen him disappear she listened for footsteps or voices until she finally caught the tail end of a conversation.
She never intended to listen in but as she stepped forward she found herself helpless to stop it. The men were sitting in the room, the only sound besides their voices that of a fire crackling in the background.
"It's shite luck," one man said, his voice gruff and deep.
"But not that uncommon," another one said, "Pureblood men take mistresses all the time."
The first man spoke again, "but usually they are careful not to have any...accidents."
"It doesn't matter," Malfoy's voice said roughly, punctuated by the sound of ice against glass, "She's an uncultured swine who isn't worth my time."
Hermione's breath caught in her throat as the anger coursed through her. The baby inside her pushed solidly against her ribcage but she couldn't move, she was frozen as the words filtered to her through the open door.
"So what are you going to do mate?" one of the men asked.
He scoffed, "What should have been done in the first place. I'm going to pay her off and hope I never hear from her again."
Hermione's blood was boiling as she stepped forward, one hand on the door and the other searching for her wand until-
"Well, if it isn't the mudblood twat," a voice slurred and Hermione whirled around to see a woman standing before her, swaying on her feet with a glass of bubbly liquid clutched tight in her hand.
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, her anger for the man behind the door unbridled.
"Yous heard me," the woman slurred again. "Got your paws in all of the decent men around here and you think you can just play them. How dare you do that to them after all they've done for you and your kind you cunt."
Before Hermione could so much as flinch, the woman had pulled her arm back and then let it go, the liquid soaring through the air before it splattered all over the front of her and dripped down the front of her dress in rivulets of red.
"Granger?" Malfoy's voice asked from behind her and she shook her head, the fight leaving her. "Granger are you-"
"Dont-" she growled instead, taking a step back. "Don't come near me."
"Granger," he started again.
"I told you before, I don't want your money so don't bother paying me off" she hissed, noting the company behind him.
"That's not-" he said, his hand reaching out towards her.
"Don't touch me," she ground out, her voice echoing around the hallway. "Just, stay away from me and my baby."
And once more, she found herself running from Draco Malfoy.
A/N: I PROMISE ANSWERS NEXT CHAPTER. DON'T HEX ME.