Her slick wet hair clung to her back as she stepped out of the shower. After reaching five months she had made a habit of avoiding the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. She would purposely use scalding hot water to fog up the mirrors in the room until she was fully dressed. This afternoon she was in just a towel. She normally took morning showers, but tonight was the party and she had spent all day getting ready. The dress that awaited her in her room was less than pleasing. It made Ronald during the four year Yule Ball look hot. It was just a cheap dress she had picked out from a muggle shop. She wasn't trying to impress anyone. She had enough of Draco and told herself she was only going to make things right with Narcissa and promised Blaise she would go. She stepped outside of her bathroom to see no ugly dress, but a dress bag and a note folded gently on top of it. She opened the note and read.
Mione,
This seems much more your style. I look forward to seeing you wear it.
~Blaise
Hermione unzipped the bag and revealed a beautiful and long ombré silver dress that flowed down from her waist. A white shimmery design decorated her waist and end of her dress. A perfect fit. She twirled in it as she stood in the mirror. It's gracefully defined her bump, but didn't make it her focal point. It had thin gossamer straps that revealed her perfect skin. She wore her hair up to reveal the see through back that had the same white design from the front. She arranged her hair into a neat bun as decorated it with silver pins in her hair that held it in place.
She looked at herself in the mirror, to check if she missed anything. She went for a more natural makeup, wearing hardly anything at all, except a light shiny eye shadow that brought out her eyes.
She paced the floor trying not to freak out. This happened last time and she was going to make sure it wouldn't happen again. Just relax! She told herself, You don't care what he thinks, and why should you? He clearly doesn't care about you. Hermione was about to apparate when she heard the crack of apparition that wasn't her own.
"You look gorgeous. Better than I imagined!" Blaise gushed as he entered her bedroom. Hermione could feel her cheeks blush as she looked at him.
"Thank you for the dress." She said twirling, "It's beautiful."
"It's only beautiful because you're wearing it."
Hermione felt the air get awkward at his remark. She had sworn off men and even told him that. She refused to flirt back.
"So," she began, "Not to be rude, but why are you here?"
"I came to escort you."
"Blaise," Hermione sighed, "We talked about this. I said that-"
"I know, I know. I was just hoping you had changed your mind."
"I haven't and even if I had, I can't have any man on my arm, especially in public. Everyone knows about the baby and if I am on the arm of any man they'll assume he's the father."
"Is that such a bad thing?"
"It will be if they baby comes out pale and blonde."
"We could dye it." Blaise shrugged.
"Blaise." Hermione spoke in a stern tone, "I will not be dying my baby."
"It was just a suggestion."
Hermione looked at her clock on her wall, "Enough chit chat. We are going to be late if we don't leave now."
Blaise stepped aside from the fireplace, "Ladies first."
"Blaise… This is my house, you go first."
"Or we could just travel together and save floo powder." Blaise answered hopefully
"Nice try...go." Hermione said pointing to the fireplace.
Blaise went in the fireplace and flooed away. Hermione took a deep breath before going to the Malfoy's. She stepped into the fireplace, "Malfoy Manor." She closed her eyes.
She knew when she arrived the sound of elegant music filled her ears. She opened them to reveal Blaise just a couple feet away from her.
"The music sounds beautiful, no?"
"Yes, it's lovely." Hermione agreed. The farther she went into the crowd the more eyes fell on her. She could see reporters on the second floor acting like buzzards; waiting for their turn. What was strange was they left her alone. They didn't approach her, but Hermione could tell whenever their quills hit parchment it was about her.
"Miss Granger!" Hermione twirled around to see Narcissa. She was dressed in a navy long sleeve gown that floated with her as she gracefully danced by.
"Good evening, Narcissa. Lovely party."
"Thank you, dear. How have you been? I haven't heard from you. How's the baby."
"We are both doing fine, thank you for asking."
"Of course. I must say I was surprised you accepted the invitation."
"Well you did invite me, how could I say no to you?"
"Actually it was Draco who invited you. I, of course, agreed immediately. I would've invited you myself, but I know we didn't end on a good note and I wanted to apologize."
"You? Apologize?" Hermione asked, "I came here to apologize for my behavior. I am so sorry for the way I acted."
"Nonsense you had every right to act the way you did." Narcissa assured Hermione.
"Forgive me for interrupting." Blaise began, "Hermione, can I have this dance?"
Hermione felt embarrassed. Blaise was making a move on her in front of her baby's grandmother.
"Blaise…" Hermione warned, "We discussed this."
"Come on, Hermione, its just one dance."
"Blaise, not now. Just give me sometime alone with Narcissa, please." Blaise finally agreed and left, but Hermione felt his eyes on her just as much as the reporters. Narcissa must have caught her glancing at them because she responded, "Don't worry about them, I gave them an invitation, but I warned them that no photography and no interviews were allowed at the party. Anyone failing to comply would be escorted out. Some didn't even bother showing up simply because they couldn't have their way."
"The less, the better." Hermione answered. Hermione made idle chat with Narcissa when Blaise returned. This time he came with two champagne flutes.
"No, thank you, Blaise." Hermione said returning the glass back to him.
Blaise sighed, "I know we aren't friends like we used to be, but can't you see I am making a real effort here?"
Hermione tried to conceal her laugh, "Blaise I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I just truly meant I can't have that. Pregnant women can't have alcohol." The moment she said Blaise felt like a complete idiot. He scurried away to return one of the drinks or drink both to get over his embarrassment. For the most part, Hermione was having a good time. She enjoys the music and mostly stuck to Narcissa's side because none of her friends were invited. Luna was there as a reporter, but she had actually spent more time dancing with Neville than anything. Hermione took a sip of her water as she glanced to the corner of her eye. Almost out of view was Astoria Greengrass… a pregnant Astoria Greengrass. Hermione was much farther along than her, but there was a definite swell to her stomach. Hermione wanted to avoid Astoria at all cost. They briefly exchanged a glance, but Hermione quickly looked away and tried to hide behind one of the huge snowflake ice sculptures.
"You didn't think a dainty ice sculpture like that could hide that, did you?" Astoria sneered looking at Hermione's round belly. Hermione conservatively crossed her arms around her body trying in a failed attempt to conceal it.
"I wasn't hiding." Hermione tried to answer coolly. "I was merely admiring the craftsmanship of this ice sculpture."
"Sure you were." Astoria drawled. There was an awkward silence before Astoria spoke again, "So how far along are you?"
"Six months."
"You're kind of big for sixth months, don't you think?" Hermione gasped at her remark. Did she just say that? It was amazing how a person as insignificant as Astoria could ruin this night. She had felt so beautiful until now.
"You are kind of big yourself, Astoria…" Hermione paused wondering if her next remark was going to far, but then she decided she didn't care, "Tell me, do triplets run in your family?"
"Do whores run in yours?"
Hermione glared, "You are the whore or have you forgotten the Malfoy incident?"
"Yes I have. I have put it all behind me so I could be with my true love."
"Who's the father Astoria? Is it Flint, or some other random guy that was too drunk to see what your face actually looked like? Wait, or are you going to say that it's Draco's again."
"I would, but I am afraid I have no evidence. Last time I at least had proof we slept together. Now, Draco won't even look at me, but I noticed they are serving fire whiskey so maybe tonight's the night."
"You don't seriously think he'd actually sleep with you again? He is not dense, Astoria. Draco will know that you are pregnant and will steer clear from you."
Astoria smirked at Hermione's remark, but instead of retorting she leaned in, "Are you speaking from experience?"
Hermione felt her mouth open. "Oh, don't act so surprised. Did you really think that nobody could put the pieces together?"
"I don't know what you are talking about." Hermione tried to play it cool.
"Honey, like I don't know that something happened between you, Draco, and that handsome friend of his, Blaise."
"You don't know what you are talking about."
"Yeah, I guess you're right… It's not like I've known them for years. They did this all the time as children and we both know they haven't grown up. You just another one of their conquests… Another one of their games."
"Astoria, you don't know Draco, he didn't even look your way until 5th or 6th year. In fact that's me being kind. He didn't even look your way until you told him you were carrying his supposed child."
"How does that feel by the way?" Astoria asked whispering again, "Carrying the child of your mortal enemy? Surely you know he'll get his way. He always does. If he wants that kid, he'll get it."
Hermione decided to play to her game, "He doesn't."
"People change their minds, Granger."
Hermione jumped. It wasn't Astoria who responded, but a masculine voice. A certain masculine voice, a voice Hermione knew all to well. Malfoy's voice.
"Hello Draky!" Astoria gleamed. Hermione couldn't even make her body move she was in so much shock. How much had he heard? Was he listening that whole time? Was that Astoria's plan?
"Excuse me." Hermione began to walk away when a grip tightened on her arm. She was actually thankful to see it was Astoria's when she turned around.
"You can't run forever."
"I can sure as hell try." Hermione hissed as she released her arm. She did what she could to blend with the crowd to hide her tears. Blaise came by and offered to dance with her, but a wordless "no" came from her lips as she escaped into the kitchen.
"Miss Granger?" A lighthearted voice asked. It was Narcissa.
"Oh! I am sorry," Hermione said holding back tears, "I didn't realize that the kitchen was occupied."
"Oh no worries." Narcissa zoomed in on Hermione's expression, "Are you alright, darling?"
"Yes...I am fine, it's just hormones." She lied, "Can you tell me where the restroom is?"
"All the restrooms on the ground floor are being remodeled, so you will have to go up to the second floor. It's either the second door if you go left or the fourth one on your right."
Hermione ignored the boosting of multiple bathrooms and replied with a simple, "Thank you." She walked out of the kitchen and tried quietly go to the next floor without being noticed.
Hermione looked behind her as she walked up the stairs, she made eye contact with Draco. She panicked and raced to the nearest room that was unlocked. Locking the door, she turned around to see him standing there in the room.
"How? How did you-"
"It's only pregnant women who aren't suppose to apparate." Draco replied calmly.
"So you're suddenly an expert on pregnant women?"
Draco smiled, "More like, student in training."
"How did you get in here? I locked the door."
"If you hadn't noticed, this is my room and I enchanted the door, so I could enter even if it's locked. This time I just apparated. I didn't want to frighten you."
"Well you didn't succeed." Hermione replied harshly. She smoothed out her dress, "Excuse me, I am going home."
Draco grabbed Hermione's arm before she could walk out the door. "Granger, don't leave."
"Why should I stay?"
"I wanted to talk to you."
"There's nothing to talk about Malfoy." Hermione said slightly irritated.
"Yes there is." Draco pulled Hermione closer, "I want to know the truth."
"The truth to what?" She glared.
"The baby… is it mine, or is what Blaise told me a complete and utter lie."
"Which one do you want it to be?"
"At first, I was hoping it was a lie."
Hermione nodded, "We're done here."
"Granger, wait!"
"Don't you think there was a time when I wished it was a lie too? Six months ago, I wasn't ready to be a mother? I hoped it was a lie, but you know what? I learn that I couldn't run away from this and I am glad I didn't, because my son is the only one I can count on." Hermione reached for the door.
"Hermione!"
Hermione stopped. He never called her by her first name.
"Yes, I did want it to be a lie, but since then it has changed. I want to be a father when Astoria's infidelity came to the surface I was crushed. I thought I had just lost a child, but in all I thought I had lost the whole idea of even being a father."
Hermione tried to keep tears from glossing her eyes. Just looking at him made her want to cry. Repeated images of him yelling at her, calling her names filled her mind. She fumed silently at him, while he just stood there. He wasn't blankly staring at her; his eyes were focused and trained on her. Nothing was in his mind, nothing but her.
Hermione finally snapped, "I don't know why you kept me in here, but I am leaving." Hermione turned for the door and grabbed the handle. The door was slightly ajar when his strong force shut it with his hand. Hermione whipped around to find them standing face to face.
"Let me out, Malfoy."
"Granger, I-"
Hermione cut him off, "No. I am tired of talking to you, just remove your hand and let me go."
"I can't do that."
"What? Are you under an imperius curse, or something? Just move your hand."
"Granger, listen, I-"
Hermione sighed, "What part of, 'I am tired of talking to you', do you not understand? Move your hand. I have to get back to the party."
"You were going to leave." Draco finally spoke.
Hermione's jaw dropped. How did he know that? "You don't know that." She defended.
"I do know… I also know that you're wondering how I know." Hermione's eyes narrowed until her face flooded with anger. She could see his eyes flickering between her gaze as he was scanning her mind.
"You were reading my mind!" Hermione nearly shouted, "You were using Legilimency on me!" Draco's hand moved from the door as Hermione walked towards him. In fear, Draco backed up until Hermione cornered him into the corner of his room. Anger dripped from her words as she took out her wand and held it up to his neck. It was a perfect image of the showdown between her and him during third year. Draco didn't dare speak; worried she would cast a spell in the heat of the moment.
Hermione inhaled and finally let it all out. "I've had it with you! I know you know and I've waited and waited for you to do something. I waited for you to come rushing to my side or to reject me completely. I didn't care which one, but at least I would've known where you stood. Instead I wasted days, staying up at night, wondering what could possibly be going through your mind. Everyday I checked every newspaper and magazine looking for the story about my tarnished love life and me, how I slept with my enemy and was carry his child because of it. How I would be a single mother and have no support, because I was positive you'd sell it to someone."
Hermione finally paused to wipe the tears that had fallen from her face. Her wand didn't move away from Draco as she just stared into his eyes.
Draco stood there a moment. He didn't know what to say. If he stayed silent he would be doing the same thing she had just mentioned, but whatever he did say he wanted to make sure it didn't hurt her further. He started with her name. Not Mudblood, or Granger but "Hermione." He spoke quietly. He removed his hand from his pocket, which was securely holding his wand in case she decided to attack. He held his hands up in mercy.
"Hermione," he reiterated, "I want-"
"Don't." Hermione spoke through her tears, "Please don't. I can't take anymore. I know what you'll say and I don't want to hear it." Hermione removed her wand and turned around.
"Hermione." Draco said forcefully, calling her attention, "Listen."
His demand reignited her anger as her wand flung to his throat; the jolt pushed Draco into the corner causing something beside him to fall. He waited for a crash or the sound of shattered glass to fill his ears, but it was a thud. From behind his curtain a rolled up rug hit the floor and unraveled itself. Hermione looked down at her feet to see the Malfoy Tapestry glowing. She fell to her knees as she bent at the tapestries edge. Her eyes stared into the cold ones of Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, the warmer ones of Narcissa Black. Their prodigy Draco Lucius Malfoy and a single line that showed Malfoy Heir and with it, a small sixth month fetus sucking its undeveloped thumb.
Hermione felt tears of joy fall as she saw her son. A smile was found on her face as Draco kneeled beside her.
"You knew…" She began, "When Blaise said that he told you, you had already known."
Draco stopped her, "No… I didn't. I just recently discovered this." He said gesturing to the tapestry.
"Haven't you always had this tapestry?"
"Yes, but it was gone for quite some time. It was hidden away for some reason and I, not long ago, figured out why." Draco admitted.
"Why do you have it?"
"I was hiding it from my mother." Draco said sheepishly.
Hermione sniffled, covering up a laugh, "She knows."
Draco's jaw dropped, "What! My mother knows!"
"I thought she would've told you by now."
"I wished she would have." Draco told her. He let the conversation go, but he was definitely going to have a talk with his mother.
Hermione didn't want to continue this particular conversation, worried of where it might head. She wasn't in the mood to justify her actions. Instead she remained silent as she focused on her baby boy. Her sweet bundle of joy that she would do absolutely anything for.
"It's amazing to see him like this." Hermione commented.
"It's your body," Draco responded, "Don't you see this everyday?"
Hermione washed away a rouge tear, "Uh, no. I've been busy lately. I haven't been doing a lot of check ups. This is the last I've seen of him." Hermione pulled out a picture of her son at three months.
"How do you know he or she is okay?"
"It's a he. He's a boy." Hermione whispered.
Draco was flooded with joy. He had a son. He wanted to talk to Hermione and listen to everything he had missed, but he knew this wasn't the time or place. She wasn't emotionally ready for his questions and he would have to treat her better if he wanted to learn anything.
Draco looked at his watch; it was four minutes to midnight. Draco suddenly remembered his mother's party surprise.
Hermione watched Draco rise to his feet as he looks down to her sitting in a pool of her own dress. She wanted to stay in this moment forever, just stare at her son, but she knew she had to go. Both of them could hear Narcissa's muffled voice from downstairs.
"Come on," Draco said holding out his hands pulling her up, "We should return to the party."
"I think I am going to head out. I'll celebrate the new year with my owl." Even in her mind that sounded pathetic.
"Stay, just until midnight. My mother is great at surprises."
Hermione gave in, "Okay,"
He ushered her out of his room and led her down the stairs. Draco remained silent as they blended in with the crowd in the ballroom. Everyone began leaving through the many exits along the back of the manor, which lead out to the courtyard. Hermione had seen this porch from afar when she had came and gone from the private Quidditch pitch a couple hundred yards away. What she hadn't seen was how beautiful it was. It was decorated for the party with silver swirls and blue lights surrounding the area, but Hermione could only assume it was just as pretty when it wasn't decorated. One thing that Hermione did notice that was different was a large clock mounted on the back of the manor. It rested on the third floor exterior as it ticked away the last few moments of the year. The cold air hit Hermione as she pulled out her blue cloak to warm herself.
"Are you cold?" Draco asked, standing behind her.
"I'm fine now." Hermione responded gesturing to the cloak. Apparently everyone was outside to witness the big surprise Narcissa had mentioned in the invitations. Hermione rocked back and forth on her heels as she stared at Draco. Just looking at him made the baby kick up a storm. There was only a minute and a half left as Narcissa tried pushing her crowd farther out onto the grass, "Back up, please, keep moving. Thank you!" Narcissa yelled as she directed the traffic of guests.
Draco bent down to Hermione's ear, "Come with me." He pulled her arm as he led her onto the mildewed grass. The water droplets hit her feet as he pulled her farther and farther away.
"Malfoy," she yelled exasperated from the jog. She was panting as she slowed down to a stop.
"Just so you know, pregnant women in heels and running aren't a good combination." Draco ignored her remark as he stared up at the clock.
Finally the clock struck twelve as a loud boom filled Hermione's ears.
"Look!" Draco said pointing at the sky. Fireworks of blue and silver hues lighted up the night sky as they spun through the air. Hermione was in awe as she felt a strong pair of arms grab her waist and pull her in. Cold lips hit hers as she nearly jumped back. The tight grip gave her no leeway to run and yet she didn't want to. Her arms flung themselves over his shoulders and around his neck until finally he regretfully released. The two panted and stared into each others eyes that reflected the fireworks besides them. The cold air was visible in their heated breath as Draco finally spoke, "Happy New Year, Hermione."
He walked away from her. The walk alone was far away, but Hermione made no move to join him or confront him. She was too mesmerized and shocked to even register what had just happened. She waited several moments in the grass of the manor before finally and sheepishly joining the crowd. The fireworks had long since died into the air as she exasperatedly looked for Draco. She didn't call for him worried her words would become the new Daily Prophet headline for today.
There was no sign of him and she was forced to return inside unsuccessful. She walked along, still flushed from what just happened when she ran into someone.
"Oh I am so sorry, I-" She looked up, "Oh, Blaise it's you." She stood there awkwardly, "uh, Happy New Year!"
Blaise did not share in her joy and even gave her a glare.
"Blaise? What's the matter?"
"So," Blaise began, his glare now turning into a fit of anger, "You're 'not focused on guys at the moment'."
Hermione gasped, "You saw that!" If her cheeks weren't already red with embarrassment they were now.
"You're damn right I saw it!"
"Blaise," Hermione spoke gently clearly observing he was angry, "He kissed me. I didn't know he was going to do it."
"You didn't pull away."
"Blaise, I was-"
"I don't want to hear it." Blaise spoke as he turned away. Hermione walked after him and grabbed his shoulder pulling him to face her, "Blaise!" He shook her grip off of him and he stared at her with intense eyes, "Goodnight, Hermione." He snarled in a cold tone.
Author's Note: Draco and Hermione finally kissed! We hope you enjoyed this chapter of The Lion's Secret, and also hope that you enjoy chapter 16 as well. Please continue to leave reviews as well as favorite.
~AmatuerWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae