CHAPTER FORTY FOUR- Rhodes
"Granger, we're here," Malfoy said as he shook his wife awake. "Why is it so dark?" Hermione asked. "The moon is hidden beneath clouds. It is going to be difficult to find the shore," he replied.
Most of their trip had clear nights and smooth sailing. The eeriness of the black waters made Hermione uneasy. "What is the day, Draco? I thought we would have a full moon," said Hermione.
"The 7th of December, the full moon has passed," Malfoy answered as he put on a warm cloak. Hermione could not help but laugh when she heard what day it was.
"Is something funny, Granger? We're about to risk our lives here!" Malfoy said angrily. "The 7th of December was Isola's due date. She should have been born today if it weren't for-" Hermione started.
"Enough of that. I don't want to hear it. She is here now and what matters is we get off this damn ship," he interrupted. Once his cloak was on and a small bag packed he went to Isola's cradle.
Malfoy stood above the cradle and whispered something to his sleeping daughter. "No matter what happens when I leave… You must keep her safe. Promise me that you will protect her?" Malfoy said with is eyes still focused on Isola.
"I am her mother, Draco. I will always keep her safe," Hermione said. With one last look at Hermione and Isola, Malfoy left the protection of their ship and began to row to shore.
As soon as Malfoy was no longer visible past the fog Isola started to stir. Hermione picked up her tiny one month old and rocked her back and forth. The knots in her stomach were severe and she could feel her heart racing.
Hermione paced the cabin floors for what felt like hours but when she checked the clock it had only been twenty minuets. Surely it would take Malfoy more than an hour to reach the island.
With nothing to do but wait she sat down and partook in her new favorite hobby- staring at her daughter. She thought of all the events that led her to holding her daughter in her arms. Hermione was only nineteen years old but after the past year she felt more than twice her age.
Her mind went to the night Snape told her she would marry Malfoy, to her engagement in the Great Hall and to her wedding night. The most awful and unbearable moments she ever endured all brought Isola into her life.
Hermione grew angry with herself when she realized she was crying. Sometimes all of her bad memories crept up on her unexpectedly or haunted her dreams. While she could not erase her own torments, she could prevent her daughter from ever feeling this way.
Hermione was resourceful, she was cunning, and she was determined. She was a Slytherin and no matter what she would protect her daughter from any harm.
Once she collected herself and fed Isola she saw that three hours had passed. Certainly Malfoy had to have made it to the house by now unless something had gone wrong.
After another half hour of pacing she looked out the window and was pleased to see the sky had cleared and she could see the small towns on the coast. What displeased her moments later however, was the red sparks of light coming inland from the sky.