HERMIONE

The last few weeks had been tough. I had started to pull away from Draco, at first it was unintentional now, I was finding it easier. I started to stay later at work. At first Draco would stay with me then I think he started to give up.

I hated the way it was. Sometimes I would wake up in the morning determined to make things better, make things right with me and Draco. Then something would happen and my head would go south and my plans would go down the drain. I hated it. I was usually strong but I think I'm finding this really hard to cope with. I just don't feel strong.

Draco had introduced me to his cousin Elayna from France. I love her. She's so energetic and seemingly carefree. I'm a little jealous if I'm honest. I found myself talking to her and it's a nice change. I see Draco's face when I slip so easily into French with her. He seems impressed.

That's actually where I'm headed now, to meet Elayna for lunch. Were meeting in this gorgeous little restaurant hidden away in a corner of Diagon Alley.

I'm not looking where I'm going at all. I'm in a world of my own my mind on other things. Then someone grabs my arm and brings me back to the present. My hand is on my wand before I even look at who it is that has grabbed me. Then I hear their voice and I stop dead.

"Her my own ninny." It's Viktor.

My heart pounds, I can't look up, it's been almost two years. His grip loosens and his hand travels down my arm. Old feelings quickly rush through me. I still haven't looked at him.

The way we left things I never thought he would want to see me again but here he is trying to talk to me, touching me.

I'm not sure how long we stand there like that, his hand on my wrist me looking at the floor. I'm still trying to process him being here. The next thing I know is that Viktor is pushing my face upwards gently with his fingers making me look at him.

When my eyes take him in I notice he hasn't changed much at all. When I look at him I realise how much I've missed him. Not as a lover nesacerily but as my friend. He was one of the few people I could be honest with before we got together and ended things the way we did.

"Viktor." Is all I can seem to say when I've found my voice.

"It's good to see you." He smiles that broad genuine grin and his face brightens.

"It's good to see you too." His fingers are still on my chin. I manage to get over my shock slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"England play Bulgaria next week. I will be playing."

Then I vaguely remember Ginny telling me she would be playing in her first international quidditch match soon. I sigh inwardly. I am such a bad friend. I am so wrapped up in myself I don't even remember if Ginny told me who the match would be against.

"Right of course." I shake myself releasing myself from his grip.

"You look good." Now I know this is a lie I look terrible. I've lost too much weight and I have bags under my eyes.

"Thanks you too." This want a lie. He still had his strong quidditch body and his handsome features hadn't changed.

"Do you want to get a drink?" He asks.

I'm about to answer when I hear Elayna call me. I had almost forgotten about her.

"I'm sorry I'm meeting someone for lunch." I turn and see her waving at me.

"Another time?" He asks I think I can hear hope in his voice.

"Yes. Owl me." I start to move slowly in Elaynas direction. My first genuine smile I've had in ages starts to form.

"I will."

I turn about and walk to Elayna and I swear I can feel his eyes on me.

"Hermione." Elayna says as she hugs me. "Was that Viktor Krum?"

She's looking over my shoulder wide eyed at him as I laugh. "Yes."

"Oh my God." She does a little jump. "He's still looking over at you. Do you know him?"

"Yes." I grab her arm and pull her away.

"He is yummy. How do you know him?" I laugh to myself I know this will turn into an interrogation.

I start simply. "He was the Durmstrang champion in the trip wizard tournament while we were at Hogwarts. We went to the Yule ball together."

"You dated Viktor Krum?"

I hear the excitement in her voice. We've reached the restaurant.

"Not till a couple of years ago."

And that was how our lunch was spent. Me recalling my time with Viktor.

DRACO

Things with me and Hermione were not going well. I can feel the strain. I know this is hurting her, but I don't want to tell her my plan. Not yet. What if it falls through and the baby is mine? Ive started to hope more than ever that it isn't. How bad is that? The more I hope for this the worse I feel. How can someone with any self-respect hope for something like this?

Elayna tries to reassure me. She says that this situation isn't a normal one and its ok to be feeling conflicted. I'm starting to feel the need to rush my plan through quickly now before Hermione pulls away more, before I drive myself insane.

Elayna and I think we have pretty much thought it all through. I don't want Padma to suspect anything. If she did everything would fall apart. I know she has a vindictive streak and I wouldn't put it past her to make sure I didn't see the baby if she is mine.

Were lucky Elayna did her maternity rotation before she decided being a healer wasn't for her. She remembers the charm well. She needed to use my wand though. This was the only snag which we couldn't disguise. We had even prepared a polyjuice potion for Elayna because she had met Padma. I had no doubt Padma would recognise my wand our only option was for me to distract her while Elayna performed the charm. She told me if the baby was mine my wand would glow gold if not a dull grey.

I'm thinking about how I could possibly distract someone like her when I feel something hit my face. I look up and see Harry looking at me.

"I'm off home if your gonna zone out on me like that." He said laughing at me.

"Shit I'm sorry." I run my hands over my face. "In a bit distracted."

"Yeah I can tell." He took a drink of his beer. "You going to tell me what it is?"

I think about this for a minute. It would be nice to have another opinion from Elaynas. But harry was Hermione's best friend he might want to tell her.

"I won't tell Hermione." He said as if reading my mind and I laugh.

"You might change your mind when you hear what it is."

"Listen mate, I know Hermione and I are close" he said looking at me "but you're my friend too and if you need to tell me something I'm all ears."

"ok." I nod. I need to know if he thinks I'm doing the right thing. "Here goes nothing."

I tell harry everything that has happened over the last couple of weeks starting with that first night with Elayna at my mother's place and ending with my plan.

"What do you think?" I ask him when I finish.

I watch him take a deep breath and looks into his now empty pint glass. I have no idea what he is thinking he said nothing throughout my whole tale.

"I think your right not to tell Hermione till you're sure." I raise my eyebrows in shock. "He would only want you to go through proper channels and as you say Padma has a mean streak and you don't want to do anything that could atop you seeing you, possible, daughter."

I relax back in my seat and release a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

"That being said you need to be careful Draco" he leans forward a serious look on his face. "I know you think now you would be happier without this baby but you might not feel the same if she turns out not to be yours."

He had thought about this but he still couldn't help thinking everything would be fine as long as he had Hermione by his side.

"When do you think you'll do it?" Harry asks.

"Thursday." We had sent out the official looking letter to Padma this morning telling her she had one small check-up and the midwife would visit her apartment.

"Good luck." Harry said holding up his till empty glass. I clinked my own glass to his and made my way to the bar. Slightly less worried about not telling Hermione.

I want to apologise for the long wait ive had a broken computer. ?I will wack out a new chapter asap.