Chapter 16 Draft
Disclaimer: This is a fanfiction based on the Harry Potter universe by J.K. Rowling. We do not own anything, except the plot and a few characters created by us to further the plot line in the future.
Blaise walked off, leaving Hermione alone in a crowd of people whom she did not know or associate with.
The people around didn't give her a second glance, but she could feel the eyes watch her. Intense pressure built up in her cheeks giving them an embarrassed glow. Hermione did the best she could, trying to catch Blaise, and explain more. She was in a hurried wobble, only a few feet away from Blaise
"Oh Miss Granger!" Narcissa gleamed, "I'm glad you made it for the surprise. Did you enjoy it?"
Hermione looked past Narcissa's shoulder, as Blaise became nothing but an all too fresh and painful memory. His body blended with the other figures in the crowd until he was no longer visible.
Sighing in defeat, Hermione responded, "Yes, it was lovely, Mrs. Malfoy."
Narcissa raised a brow, "Why do formal? You usually call me Narcissa."
Hermione didn't fully hear Narcissa; her mind was busy thinking of other things, Draco being the main distraction.
"Do you know where your son is?"
"Honestly, I haven't seen him for most of the night. He's around here somewhere."
"Oh alright then, I think I will go look for him, there is something of importance I need to discuss with him." Hermione hurried away from Narcissa, in hopes of finding Blaise. She did not want to give up on searching for him, but with the odds she had in the room, she might as well do so.
She continued to walk through the massive crowd. She politely pushed her way looking for Blaise. Hermione found her way to the staircase climbing step-by-step hoping the height would help her search. Squinting she saw his figure closing in at the door. Again, she wanted to scream his name, but nothing came out, her lips didn't even part.
"What are you looking at?" A distinct voice inquired. She turned her head back at an angle to see Draco at the top of the stairs.
"He saw." Hermione spoke. She looked at him quizzingly, "But you already knew that, didn't you." It wasn't a question but was an accusation.
"I may have seen him." Draco answered casually.
"You did it in purpose then. Despite the fact he is your best friend. You kissed the woman he loves."
"Does the woman return his feelings?"
Hermione gasped, "Whether she does or doesn't is none of your business! And can we please stop referring to me in third person."
"I just wanted to know where I stand with you."
"You stand no where. I am done with both of you."
"It didn't seem like that when I kissed you."
Hermione rose to meet him at the top of the stairs and warned him in a whisper, "What happened back there meant nothing. I was angry at Blaise and you took advantage."
"Look, I just found out I am a father-"
"Don't get used to the idea. After this stunt you pulled you'll hardly be able to call yourself that."
"You're planning to keep me from him?"
"No I'm not but I want to see a change from you."
"I thought people who cared for each other weren't suppose to change the other person."
"There is a difference between them and us: I don't care about you, and it's completely obvious you only care for me because I am carrying your child." Hermione sighed with annoyance. "Tell me Draco, if I was not the mother of your unborn son or pregnant at all, what terms would we be on at this very moment?"
"That's the thing about life. It's full of little moments, mistakes, and miracles. If what happened didn't happen then yes, I wouldn't even bat an eyelash at you, but it did happen. And that child you're carrying is mine, so do what you will, but you won't get rid of me easily."
"I'm not trying to get rid of you-"
"Then come with me." Draco grabbed a hold of Hermione's wrist and pulled her up the last step.
"Malfoy!" She nearly screamed, "Let go of me!"
Draco had a death grip on Hermione's hand as he pulled her into a room. He closed the door behind her, until they were in a dark room.
"Where are we? Ow!" Hermione grabbed her elbow upon impact.
"It's a house elf closet."
"You put house elves in here! What kind of twisted and inhumane-"
"It just holds cleaning supplies." He chuckled.
"Well I can't exactly tell since its pitch black in here. Ugh, let me find my wand."
Hermione's purse fell to the floor as a pair of lips touched hers. It was light and innocent, but he made it something more. It had the same waves of uncertainty and passion as the one under the fireworks. He kissed her, but she couldn't tell because in the moment she was as addicted as he was.
Hermione felt herself fall into him, but steadied herself as she felt his embrace disappear.
"Two for two." He whispered and even though she could see nothing in front her, she would've bet all the galleons in her vault that he was smirking.
"You mean to tell me that you did… did that, to prove a point?" She began angrily.
"You say you don't care about me, but obviously you do because, if you did not you would have pushed me away."
Hermione was so flustered she couldn't even form a counter attack.
"Look, you're even breathing heavily."
"That is because I had to run here. That isn't even remotely linked to this."
"Just shut up and let me kiss you again." Draco's lips were on hers again. They were inviting and she fell under his spell, Knock, knock, knock! Hermione pulled away, but Draco continued by kissing down her neck. Hermione felt instant pleasure.
"What was that noise?" she lightly moaned
"Granger, it's New Years, my mother blasts all sorts of fireworks around this time." He said, kissing down her neck.
"Draco," Hermione pushed him back, "the sound was close."
"I am sure it was nothing", but just as he spoke the sound came again this time more sternly.
"Someone knocked on the door!" Hermione whispered with a panic. The door flung open, with a toe tapping Narcissa on the other side, accompanied by a house elf.
Narcissa reached into the closet, dragging Draco out by the ear. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, how many times have I told you to stay out of the house elf closet! And again, you have a woman with you, have you no shame."
"Merlin, this is embarrassing." Draco turned red.
Hermione hid her blush with her hands, "Shut up, Malfoy."
"Oh, we are back to Malfoy now?"
"What part of 'Shut up' do you not comprehend?" She growled.
Narcissa sighed, reminding the two of them that she was still there.
"The both of you are acting like children."
"No, I'm not. Granger started it."
"You were the one that dragged me into the closet."
"Enough! I want the both of you to go back downstairs and enjoy what is left of the party, then Draco you will go to your room."
"Mother, I'm not a child anymore, surely this whole fiasco is punishment enough."
"When you stop acting like a child, then I will stop treating you like one."
"Mother-"
"Draco… downstairs now." Draco took Hermione's hand and led her towards the stairs entryway.
"Actually, Miss Granger, might I have a word?" Narcissa insisted.
Draco had to hide his grin, "You're in trouble." He rubbed his arm profusely as if it would sooth where she had struck him.
"Oh, grow up Malfoy."
Hermione walked back to where Narcissa was standing, worried what she might say.
"What you and my son do behind closed doors is really none of my concern,"
"Narcissa, please, this is a whole new level of uncomfortable that I don't want to deal with. I get it, being with him was a mistake."
"I wasn't going to say that at all." Narcissa responded, "You and Draco are adults and you can do what you want, I wasn't going to tell you otherwise. I was, however, going to tell you, I had my house elves prepare a room for you here tonight."
"I clearly am not drinking," Hermione said gesturing to her bump, "I can make it home just fine."
"I know that tonight is equally and important holiday in the muggle world and I please insist that you stay here for the evening."
"Narcissa-"
"For me? Just to give me peace of mind? I constantly worry about you Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded, "Fine, I will stay for the night, but I plan to leave early in the morning."
"We can prepare for your departure after breakfast."
"Narcissa…" Hermione whined
"After breakfast." Mrs. Malfoy ended the conversation by heading downstairs. Hermione followed after her only to be confronted by Draco at the base of the stairs.
"Are you in trouble?" He smirked.
Hermione nodded, "Yeah, I've been forced by your mother to stay the night."
Draco raised a brow, "A sleepover, hmm?"
"Malfoy, pull your mind out of your perverted thoughts. I am just staying the night. Not even seven hours since it's already thirty after midnight."
Draco looked at the lesser crowd; people had already begun to head home as expected.
"You know the party is going to end in a little bit, would you dance with me?"
Hermione tensed up, "I don't think so."
"Come on," Draco grabbed her arm, but Hermione slid out of his grasp. "What's the matter?" He asked.
"I've done enough for tonight. I lost a friend, snogged you twice, and got caught by your mother. I think I am going to call it a night."
"It's just one dance Granger."
"I want to take things slow. I told Blaise this and now I am telling you, I need to make the best decisions I can for the sake of my son."
"Our son." Draco stated.
Hermione smiled as she began to look for a house elf to show her where her room was, "Goodnight Malfoy."
"Draco."
Hermione turned and looked at him.
"The parents of a kid usually address each other by their first names." He offered.
"I am easing myself into this parenting thing; taking baby steps if you will, so for now, it's Malfoy."
"Goodnight, Granger."
"Goodnight, Malfoy."
Hermione made sure to leave Draco behind her. She avidly searched for a house elf to show her to her room. She had half a mind to just apparate home, but she remembered pregnant woman couldn't do that and her shouting 'Granger Flat' would surely draw attention to her if she tried to floo home.
Her feet felt like they were pulsating in her shoes. She is surprised the heels didn't snap under the swelling. Her back had sharp pain tingling down her spine. These were all the signs telling her that the party was over, "Oh Narcissa, I found you." She exclaimed staring at her.
"Miss Granger, is something the matter?"
"I feel like all my pregnancy symptoms are hitting me at once and all I want to do is go to sleep. Can you have a house elf show me my room?"
"Oh! Of course! Um, Bisky?" The house elf apparated at the sound of her name.
"Yes, Madam?"
"Please show Miss Granger the room I had you prepare for her."
"Yes, Madam." Bisky took Hermione's hand and guided her through the crowd.
"Goodnight Miss Granger." Narcissa called after her. Through a gap in the crowd she saw Draco, his cloak was unbuttoned, his tie had been undone and thrown over his shoulders. His existence faded from her sight as she was forced to hike up the steps, hopefully one last time. Instead turning towards the broom closet, which locked in the secrets of shame and guilt she found herself turning towards the West Wing, Draco's wing.
"I thought guests would stay in a different wing." Hermione added breaking the silence between her and a poorly treated house elf.
"You are, I was bringing you to Master Malfoy's room to retrieve your wand."
Hermione checked her dress and purse, "I didn't even know I was missing it."
They stopped in front of a double mahogany door, when Bisky opened the door and allowed Hermione to retrieve her wand from the floor of his room. She walked inside and found her wand lying beside the unrolled tapestry where she could see her son sleeping. She gently caressed the bump, "I envy you." She whispered to him.
Draco said his goodbyes to the last guest. He was tired, from everything that went on. Draco walked lazily up the staircase. Turning to his wing. Draco's bedroom was the very end of the hallway. In the west wing there was 3 other bedrooms, aside from his own. Right next to his was an unused bedroom. He stared at the single door grasping the knob, and opening the door. The room was a shade of mint, with an unused bed against the wall, along with the matching dresser. It had an attached bathroom, and was fairly smaller than his own. But all that Draco saw was a beautiful nursery. The walls were painted a forest green with silhouettes of bare trees. The furniture was a dark mahogany brown, to compliment the surrounding walls. The middle wall had the words, "Rise and rise again until lambs become lions" obviously unknown to Draco. It was right above the crib. Inside the crib, there was white lining, with a single small plush red fox. Dark stained wood floors throughout the room with an off white rug. In corner of the room stood a bookshelf filled with storybooks, and knick-knacks. The windows were decorated with sheer white curtains, with a rocking chair in front. Toys were cleanly organized on the dresser, with painting of woodland creatures hung above it. The wardrobe was slightly ajar, revealing infant clothing, in vast amounts of colors. All that was missing was the little bundle of joy, and Hermione to fill it.
"This will be the nursery for my son."
Draco walked out closing the door behind him. He went to his room, semi-tired now.
Draco undressed himself, putting on only a pair of pajama pants in case his mother woke him again.
He went to the unrolled tapestry, and saw a restless fetus, moving about. Thinking of his son, made him want to make his family whole.
If the baby is awake, maybe Hermione is awake He thought. Draco grabbed his robe off the hook, quickly put it on. He opened the door and standing outside is his mother.
"Oh, mother, what are you doing here?"
"I am here to talk."
"Fine." Draco said, plopping into a reading chair, "Talk away."
Narcissa folded her robe took a seat across from him, "I came to warn you, Draco."
Draco scoffed, "Warn me? About what?"
"After catching you with Miss Granger, I want you to understand what you are doing."
"I know what I am doing." Draco said defensively
"No, you don't." Narcissa quipped, "I can see you truly want your child, but-"
"Yes, the child you failed to mention you knew about."
"I wanted to tell you, but it was not my secret to tell."
Draco clenched his fists, "I am your son! Shouldn't I come first?"
"Yes, but-"
"Why wouldn't you tell me? Surely you would know that I'd would figure it out eventually."
"In truth, you weren't ready to know then. Even when you did find out, you did nothing. Had you known earlier you would've rejected her."
"That is not true! You saw what happened when I thought that I had impregnated Astoria, I bloody proposed to her!"
"Yes, but we both know that you see a great difference between Astoria and Hermione. While you may not like Astoria, she was of your kind and status. To my fault, you were raised to see people like Miss Granger beneath you. Her intelligence also bothered you as well and the fact she was your childhood enemy, which didn't make things any easier."
"I still would've wanted the him… And I want him now."
"That's why I am here, Draco. You can't just want the child. You're playing nice with Hermione because you know that is how you'll get the child, but let me warn you that, that is a dangerous path."
"I have this under control, mother."
"You will, until you show your true feelings. She will not open her heart until she has seen you do it first. You cannot trick her for the child. One day you'll slip up on your routine, and when you do, she will see what you were truly after."
"Mother, I don't need you to tell me this. As I have stated before, I know what I am doing."
Narcissa sighed, "Draco, are you aware of what a custody battle is?"
"Of course."
Narcissa nodded, "You know that Miss Granger is not a woman to mess with. The Wizengamot already favors the mother is these decisions and your wealth and status will not help you win. They look to see who the better parent is and your background will not favor you."
Draco waited a long moment, "Fine. Say I take your information into account. What should I do?"
Narcissa inhaled deeply and looked straight into her son's grey eyes, "Grow up."
Draco felt insulted at his mother's comment, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me, Draco. You need to show her that you are fit to be a parent. Sleeping with other women, lounging around, basically everything you do needs to stop."
"I am not going to change for her."
"You need to. Selfishly speaking, that may be my only legitimate grandchild. She trusts me, Draco, and I will not have you compromise a relationship with her or my grandson because of your recklessness."
"I am not reckless!"
"Yes you are, and you are not the only one who wants the child."
"Who are you talking about? Weaselbee? Ha! I'd hardly call him competition."
"No, I do not mean him, I am talking about your friend, Blaise."
Draco leaned forward, his face had a sneer planted on it, "What do you mean?"
"I'm sure Blaise told you that he pretended to be the baby's father prior to you knowing, but in his mind, he wasn't pretending. Unlike you, he loves Hermione and would do anything for her. He wants that child just as much as you do. When Hermione decided not to tell you, he stepped in."
Draco's hands clenched tighter, "That bastard!"
"You cannot blame him. Miss Granger is a very nice woman and-" Narcissa chuckled.
"That doesn't excuse him! He is my best friend. Does he not care about me at all?"
"I think he assumed, based on your personality, that you are not the fatherly type and given Miss Granger's wishes, he didn't think you needed to know."
Draco shook his head in anger before cracking his knuckles "So?" Draco asked his mother, "Any guidance on how I should beat his arse?"
Narcissa sighed, "My advice is to play nicely with Blaise."
Draco laughed falsely, "Good one."
"I am being serious. Whether you like it or not, Blaise is in her life now and fighting with him will only draw her closer to him. If you start anything she will resent you."
Draco shoved her advice to the side, "Besides playing nice, as you call it, what else should I do?"
"Start small. Try to become friends first. Level the playing field. According to Miss Granger, Blaise had a relationship with her, but he accidentally exposed her pregnancy and they've been distant. As of now he is on bad terms with her because he saw Miss Granger and you kiss. He will forgive her in time, but until then you need to show her why you're the better option."
"What if I don't want her?"
"Draco, she is your son's mother. If you care about him at all you'll give yourselves a chance before you shut the idea out."
"Yes, mother." Draco yawned.
"We should both go to sleep. It is quite late. I will move breakfast to nine thirty instead of eight thirty. I sure we will all enjoy the extra hour."
Draco nodded, "Goodnight mother."
She rose from her chair and hugged her son, "Goodnight, my darling." She kissed his cheek before walking out of Draco's room. It was the way he and Hermione had left it. The tapestry was still unraveled in the corner of his room. Apart from that the room was clean as always.
He got to his knees and looked into the eyes of his son, "For you, I'll try." He whispered. He rolled up the tapestry, but left the bottom rolled out, just so he could see his son. His robe fell on an armchair. Normally he would put them away, but he was too exhausted. He set the pregnancy book he had been reading to the side and finally climbed into the sheets of his heated bed. The warmth engulfed him as he glanced one last time at his son.
Authors Note: Wow! Draco is already imagining the baby's nursery. How cute! We hope you enjoyed these three chapters; the next update will be sometime after New Years. This new year the chapters will be published every two weeks. If you have any suggestions for future chapters send us a private message. Enjoy!
~AmateurWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae