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.
Chapter 17
Damsel in Disguise
Hermione's eyes fluttered open, as rays of the morning sun shined over her. She laid there for a moment more; not wanting her head to leave the pillow. She inhaled deeply when her door flew open.
"Rise and shine Granger, it's a new year and a new day, which means a fresh start!"
Hermione raised a brow, "Have you been drinking?"
Draco rolled his eyes, "Yes, but you already knew that. Anyway, I think we owe it to our son… and ourselves, to give us a try."
Hermione sighed, "I knew staying here was a bad idea." She tried to get up from the bed, but her growing bump became an obstacle. Mundane tasks like this were becoming more and more difficult. Draco walked over to her and gave her his hand.
"I'm fine," Hermione said as she struggled again. Draco ignored her as he pulled her up to a sitting position.
"Thanks," She uttered begrudgingly.
"It won't hurt you to let others help you Granger." Draco said jokingly.
"I've made it six months on my own." Hermione walked past Draco and went to the add-on bathroom.
"Oh, come on Granger, it was just a joke. Why are you taking it so serious?"
Hermione peeked her head out the door, "A party doesn't change things, Malfoy. I'm eating breakfast and then I am going home."
Draco smirked, "You sleep in one of our beds, eat our food, and then just leave? How rude."
"Look who's talking! You kissed me without warning... twice, stuck me in a broom closet and just now you waltzed into my room uninvited."
"If you didn't want to kiss me, then you would've pushed me away. Granger don't you think that it's good for the baby? Us being together, or maybe, at least having a better relationship."
"I did at one time, but not anymore." Hermione closed the door and turned the lock. Draco huffed, this would be more difficult than he thought.
"Breakfast will be served in ten." Draco called as he left the room. Hermione stood beside the door, as she waited for him to leave.
Hermione would have to remember to thank Narcissa for the maternity clothes in the drawer. She would have felt out of place if she had to go to breakfast in her gown.
Hermione started descending down the stairs to see Draco waiting for her.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Just waiting to escort you to breakfast."
"This isn't the Titanic, I don't need an escort."
Draco looked at Hermione confused "What does escorting you have to do with the Titanic?"
"There's a scene in a muggle film about it and… uh, never mind, it's a long story, why don't we just talk about this another time?"
Draco shrugged as he walked beside Hermione.
"Good morning, you two. Happy New Year." Narcissa said calmly as they entered the room.
"Happy New Year, Narcissa." Hermione replied. Draco left her side as he walked over to his mother and kissed her cheek, "Good morning mother, Happy New Year to you as well."
"You're very formal today, my son." Narcissa noticed.
"Maybe it is my New Year's resolution?" Draco stated as he held open a chair for Hermione.
"Your New Year's resolution is to be a pompous ass?" Hermione joked as she took her seat.
"You're so funny, Miss Granger." Draco sneered.
"Enough Draco." Narcissa said.
"Please, Narcissa, you can call me Hermione. After all, you are my son's grandmother… might be his only grandmother." Hermione added solemnly. Draco sensed the looming sadness and kept his sarcastic reply to himself.
"What of your mother, dear?" Narcissa asked as she poured herself a cup of tea.
"During the war, I erased my parents memories to protect them, but they were never fully restored, even afterwards." Hermione swallowed hard, "They sometimes don't even know I am their daughter."
"Oh, Hermione," Narcissa said, testing out her name, "I am very sorry."
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't even bring it up. It's just on New Year's my parents and I would always share what our resolutions were going to be. I haven't done that since before the war."
Narcissa nodded, "Well, why don't we all share our resolutions? I know it's not the same as your parents, but we are technically family as of recently." Hermione nodded as she wiped away a rouge tear.
Narcissa started, "My New Year's resolution is to improve the social status of my family name." She looked over to her son, "Draco? Do you want to share?"
Draco sat up from his slouched position, "Fine, my resolution is to be a good father to my son and along the way reconcile with his mother, so that we might one day be a real family."
Hermione raised a brow, "Wow, I almost believe you."
Draco looked at her, "I'm trying, Granger. You could at least do the same."
Hermione was about to lash back, but Narcissa interrupted, "Okay, that's enough. Hermione? What is yours?"
"My resolution is to be the best mother that I can be for this child and bring him to a stable home full of love."
"That's very sweet, Miss Granger, I mean, Hermione." Narcissa caught herself as she clapped her hands, "Let's not just sit here and starve, Dilli?" A small female house elf emerged from the kitchen, "Yes, Mistress Narcissa?"
"Could you please serve us our breakfast?"
"Right away, Mistress Narcissa!" The house elf apparated away, only to return with other house elves and a mountain of food. It was like an entire bed and breakfast menu was displayed before them. She managed to get through half of a Belgian waffle, a plate of eggs, and some crashed potatoes, but mostly just wanted to get out of the manor.
After breakfast was over, Hermione excused herself. She was going back to collect her belongings before leaving.
"Granger?" Draco called out.
Hermione turned around to see him jogging up to her.
"Is there something you want Malfoy?"
"I understand that you think my resolution is a lie, but I was being serious about it, I want to be a great father and build a relationship with you. Whether it is us being together or co-parenting. I want to be apart of his life."
"Malfoy, I'm not sure if you are being 100% honest with me, but I don't want my son to grow up without his father. Let's take things slow; baby steps, if you will. Don't force anything to happen, if something is bound to happen let nature take its course."
"Well, then let's take a big baby step."
"And what is that?"
"No more Granger and Malfoy. We have names why not use them."
"Fine, Draco."
"Okay, Hermione," He smiled coyly.
Hermione waited, "Is there anything else you wanted?"
"Baby names?"
"I've already chosen the name, Mal- Draco."
"We will decide together, I am not letting this go."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "I am picking the name."
"If you do pick the name, be sure that Malfoy goes along with it."
"He is going by the name Granger, since he is my child." Hermione said slightly annoyed.
"He is my child too, and the Malfoy heir. Hence having the Malfoy name."
"Draco, we aren't married nor ever going to be. So it is only right that he takes my name."
"We don't have to be married for him to have my name. Since I am his father he should keep the family name."
Hermione became frustrated as she left to go to her room; escaping an unwanted conversation.
"Hermione!" Draco shouted. She just ignored him and continue on.
Once safely in her room she began to gather her clothes from the night before. There was a knock at her door.
"Hermione, open the door."
"Go away, Draco. I'm done talking about this."
"I'm trying to be civil, please let me in."
Hermione opened the door, "There's no need to continue the conversation. I have the final say on what we call him."
"Can there be a compromise? Please?" Draco begged. "Who knows when I will have other children?"
Hermione felt guilty. He wasn't wrong, the only reason he got this child was because they were drunk. Hermione couldn't imagine anyone willing to sleep with him.
"Okay fine, what are your terms?"
Draco smiled. "It's a Malfoy tradition that the first born son gets his father's name. Like me, Draco Lucius Malfoy. So if you don't want to give him my surname, then at least give him my name."
"You want our son to have Draco as his middle name?
He nodded, "As long as he has the name Draco, then I'll be content with it. A way of people knowing he's mine."
Hermione contemplated it for a moment, decided whether or not to agree.
"Well?"
She gave in, "Okay."
Draco changed the subject, "I have one more request."
Hermione rested her hand on her hip, "You're not really in the position to be having any more requests."
Draco smirked, "Hear me out."
Hermione looked at him, "What do you want?"
Draco walked passed her so he was up behind her. He came close: so close he almost pressed against her. Hermione's breath went jagged as he leaned beside her ear and rested his hands just beside her bump.
In a tender voice he whispered in her ear, "Stop shutting me out." Hermione shuddered as his breath reached her. She whirled around to find nothing, he was gone.
...
It took a few minutes for her to calm down. Eventually, she slung her gown over her arm and tidied up the room the best she could. She returned to the stairs and walked down them when she noticed the foyer was empty. The dining room was cleaned up from breakfast and the other unnecessary rooms were also vacant. She let out a breath of relief, this would be a perfect time to leave. She hated to be rude to Narcissa, but she was all Dracoed out. She briskly tip toed over to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of floo powder from a glass etched jar. She walked into the hearth and shouted, "Granger flat!" A nauseous feeling overcame her as she stumbled out of the green flames.
"Hermione!" A soft voice said as Hermione braced her balance on the desk. She looked over to see Luna running from her bed.
"Luna?" Hermione asked as she regained her center of gravity, "What are you doing here? I mean, I am glad you are here… but why?"
Luna frowned, "I tried to stop them Hermione, I tried."
Hermione was confused, "What are you talking about?"
Luna revealed a page from her hand as she gave it to Hermione.
"This is going to be in tomorrow's Quibbler, my father is doing what he can to stop the production, but whoever did this also told Witch Weekly and the Daily Prophet. My father's influence is limited since he's no longer the editor and chief." Hermione remembered when Luna's father gave up the Quibbler due to his old age. He offered the job to Luna, but she had said she much rather do the reporting and writing and so it was given to an old colleague of his.
Hermione glued her eyes to the page.
Hermione Granger, age 22, was seen two days ago at Malfoy Manor to celebrate the New Year. It is common knowledge that the young war heroine was reported to be pregnant with an unidentified father. Granger was remaining in hiding and her friends have declined to comment on the situation. It was believed that the witch was stepping out of the limelight for the duration of her pregnancy, but these reports were false, as she showed up on the arm of Blaise Zabini at the Malfoy's New Year's Celebration. Our private source explains to us that she arrived with Zabini, but did not leave with him. Zabini was seen fleeing the Manor just after the fireworks were launched. When Miss Granger walked back into the Manor she was seen walking up the stairs with none other than Draco Malfoy, son of infamous death eater, Lucius Malfoy, who was sentenced in July. While the source confirms that Zabini is the baby's father, they have also stated that Zabini and Granger were dating. Our source states that Granger is in an undisclosed relationship with Draco Malfoy. The legal aspects of the arrangement have not been identified, but the source has old the press that Granger is expecting a baby boy due on March 5th.
"What!" Hermione screamed, "I never spoke to them! How did they know that!"
Luna sighed, "I don't know, I didn't hear who the source was, but I promise you, Hermione, it wasn't me."
"Luna, I know it wasn't you, I just worry about who it was."
"Hermione?" Luna asked.
"What Luna?"
"Is… is Blaise really your baby's father?"
Hermione shook her head as she rested her hand on her head.
"Who is?"
Hermione sighed, "It's Draco."
The corner of Luna's lips curled, "He will make a good dad."
Hermione scoffed, "You're the only person who thinks that."
Luna shrugged, "Give it time, you'll see."
Hermione tried to keep calm, "I don't know what I am going to do. Are you positive you can't stop it?"
"I'm doing everything I can, Hermione."
"I am sure you are Luna. Can I have this?" Hermione asked holding up the pre-print, "I need to show Draco this so he doesn't find out tomorrow like everyone else."
"Of course. I have to go back to work, but I will do what I can."
"Thank you, Luna." She apparated away and before Hermione knew it she threw more floo powder at the ground, "Malfoy Manor!"
The flames faded around her as Hermione walked back onto the tiled flooring. She wobbled a couple of steps before Draco saw her from the drawing room. Hermione lost her balance as she tumbled to her knees.
"Hermione!" Draco yelled as he ran to her. He grabbed her by the elbows and pulled her up, "What's the matter? Is the baby okay? Are you okay?" Draco asked as he hurled question after question.
"We're fine health-wise, but look at this." Hermione handed Draco the Quibbler print as he read it to himself.
"You spoke to the press?" Draco asked with anger rising in his tone.
"No!" Hermione shot back, "They lied; this entire article is a lie!"
"Mother! Get in here!" Narcissa emerged from the ground floor library.
"Draco, darling, what is it?" He handed his mother the paper. Her eyes scanned the it before she uttered, "Oh my."
Draco crackled his knuckles, "Now I have cause to kill the bastard."
Narcissa gave him a stern look, "You don't know that it was Blaise."
"Are you kidding me?" Draco pointed to the paper, "This shit has his name written all over it!"
"Language!" Narcissa chastised. She paused as she let herself think, "It doesn't disclose that Blaise tipped off the press."
"Well, it wasn't Rita Skeeter," Hermione explained, "She wouldn't want to be a hidden source. She'd want her name plastered all over this if she could."
"I'm telling you mother, it has to be Blaise. He's doing this to get back at us."
"You're overestimating him, Draco. He's your best friend."
"Was," Draco hissed, "He was my best friend. Best friends don't keep secrets like this and then on top of it, try to steal their child."
Hermione sighed, "He wasn't trying to steal him, Mal-Draco."
"You're blinded by him! Of course this was him. We made him mad so he got revenge, simple as that!"
"It might not." Hermione said, "I'm pretty sure either Lavender Brown or Ron tipped the press before about me, who says they wouldn't do it again?"
"Draco and Astoria didn't end on good terms either, she might finally be exacting her revenge on him." Narcissa explained to Hermione.
"This hurts Hermione more than me, mother. Blaise did this."
"Narcissa, these don't go out until tomorrow, is there any way you could stop it?"
"I wish I could, but my status doesn't have the same impact as if once did. Lucius made sure of that."
"My friend, Luna works at The Quibbler. She was the one that gave me the advance copy of tomorrow's article. She is trying the best to stop it from being released."
"What if she can't stop it Hermione?" Draco said. "The article says that Blaise is the baby's father. We can't have this rumor spreading around."
"You think I don't know that? People are going to think I slept with Blaise, which I didn't. Ginny didn't believe me at first. She assumed I went on some slytherin sex crazed adventure when she found Blaise at my house shirtless."
"Blaise was at your flat?" Draco sneered, "Shirtless?"
"Ugh, it sounds worse than it actually is." Hermione stated.
"What was he doing naked in your apartment?"
"Draco, he wasn't naked, he just didn't have a shirt on. But when Ginny walked in he practically screamed like a little girl."
"I bet he did!" Draco replied, "I wouldn't wanna get caught shagging my best friend's baby's mother either."
'Seriously Malfoy, you're acting like you are a jealous teenager. Blaise and I never slept together, we haven't snogged, we haven't done anything. He was just being my friend."
"Enough of this," Narcissa said, "Let's just do what we can to stop this article."
Draco took in a deep breath, "Okay, so what can we do if Luna can't stop the article?"
"Let's talk to the suspects, once we find the culprit then we have them pull the story." Narcissa suggested.
"Mother, your plan sound great but there is one flaw to it. The suspects aren't the friendliest or cleanest towards us at the moment."
"What other options do we have, talking to everyone that isn't particularly in our favor at the moment, it might take too long." Hermione sighed as she walked back towards the fireplace.
"Where are you going?" Draco asked.
"I don't really care who did it, I just want this article to stop being printed. I'm going to the editors of each paper and magazine and beg them to stop."
Draco followed her, "I'm not letting you go alone."
"We are all going." Narcissa stated. Hermione nodded as she grabbed a handful of powder.
"Let's just apparate." Draco insisted.
"I really shouldn't." Hermione warned, "I read it's not safe for heavily pregnant woman to apparate."
"I don't believe there is an open fireplace at The Quibbler headquarters and I'd rather not have to drive all the way there."
Hermione debated, "Fine, but be extra careful and remember to concentrate."
"What are you, my mother?"
"No, I am." Narcissa said, "And I will tell you the same thing."
Hermione gave Draco an 'I told you' look, which was responded by a glare from Draco.
"Okay, I will concentrate, and enunciate properly, so the precious cargo doesn't get hurt."
"Is it too late to drive there?" Hermione asked.
Draco smirked, "Yes." He grabbed his mother's hand and grabbed Hermione's side so she was tucked into a one armed hug that curled around her back. The manor faded into nothing as Hermione was shaken and jolted. Her son was doing somersaults as he too was thrown around. When they reached the end, Hermione launched forward only to have a strong embrace pull her back.
"I've got you." Draco said smoothly.
"I hate you." Hermione hissed as she felt like hurling, "Never again."
"Oh come on, that was one of the smoothest apparitions I've ever done!" Draco retorted.
"It was the smoothest for you but our son is doing cartwheels in here." Hermione said pointing to her stomach.
Draco smiled.
Hermione gave him a look, "What?"
"That's the first time you've called him our son."
"Huh," Hermione smiled, "I guess it was." She shook her head, pulling herself out of the moment, "Let's go talk to the editor."
Draco shrugged, there was definitely less hostility, but he figured she wouldn't crack that easily.
Narcissa followed her son as they walked through the building. The main lobby was rather empty, only a reception desk stood in the middle with a display of the latest issues beside the desk. Papers whirled and flew through the air above them as they filed themselves to different rooms. A darked haired receptionist was busy reading a copy when Hermione walked up.
"Excuse me, I need to speak to your editor and chief." Hermione asked nicely.
The girl looked up as she smiled, "Oh Miss Granger, good to see you again. Right this way."
Hermione looked at Draco and whispered, "That was way too easy, wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Draco replied, "And when did you come here last?"
"I've never been here."
Draco shrugged as the three of them walked down the hallway to a room at the end. They all filed into a tiny room to see the words, "The Wizarding World's Number One Alternative Voice". On the wall next to it was a photo of Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood.
Hermione then looked at a tall man with intense green eyes. He was leaned back in his seat, but leaned forward when he saw Draco.
"My, my, if it isn't Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy." He glanced at Narcissa, "Lady Malfoy." He greeted. Narcissa bowed her head in response.
Hermione glanced at the nameplate at the edge of the desk, "Um, Mr. Apello? We are here to ask you to stop printing your latest issue of the Quibbler."
He looked at Hermione sternly, "And why, Miss Granger, do you want me to do that?"
"Your article about her is full of lies!" Draco blurted out.
"Lies?" Marcus Apello asked, "We don't report lies."
Hermione straightened up, "Yes you do. Your article is full of slander that was given to you by an anonymous source. Whoever told you what's in there is a liar."
Marcus raised a brow, "Are you calling yourself a liar, Miss Granger?"
"No, I am calling your private source a liar."
"Miss Granger, you seem to be having a lapse in memory. You told me, in person, everything in that article."
"What! I have never been here before today. I haven't done a single interview since late May of last year."
"Miss Granger, you came in here yourself and told me everything and at the end, you asked if I could not disclose your identity."
"That is absolutely absurd, I would never out myself to the entire Wizarding Community. This article is a sham."
"It's not too far fetched," Draco said, "It's not like you haven't told this same lie before."
"Now is not the time or place for this!" Hermione said irritably
"Hermione," Draco said hatefully, "You lied to my face when I asked who the father was, you told me that father was Blaise. If he hadn't screwed up and told me, I might have never known."
"Draco, please-"
"Were you ever going to tell me?" Draco asked simply.
"Can we please discuss this at a later time, preferably in private?"
"I think I am done here," Draco left the room without another word.
"Narcissa, can you please talk to Mr. Apello? Convince him not to print the story."
Narcissa nodded, and Hermione left the room going after Draco.
"Draco!" Hermione called out. "Please stop." She got closer to him as she pulled the collar of his robe. He jolted back as she shoved him into a room which judging by the pink tile was the women's restroom. Hermione put a soundproof barrier around them with her wand..
"What is the matter with you!" Hermione shouted. "Why would you say that I lied to you about Blaise being the father. Especially, in front of the editor. Because now there is a chance that could be tomorrow's headline instead."
"Well, at least it'll match the article." Draco sneered.
"Quit that!" Hermione yelled.
"Quit what?"
"Quit acting like a child. I was going to tell you, but each time I built up the courage to do so, you acted like the ferret you were in Hogwarts."
Draco sighed, "I just can't believe you made up this lie about our son."
Hermione raised a brow, "What's that?"
Draco repeated himself, "You don't even listen to me, I said I just can't-"
"No, not you, that." Hermione pointed over Draco's shoulder at a small potion vial in the corner of the bathroom sink. Draco turned around and grabbed the vial, "It's empty." Draco sniffed the open top, "Ugh, whatever was in here stunk."
"Give it here." Hermione inhaled as the rush of nostalgia flew over her, "Polyjuice Potion. I know that stench anywhere."
"Polyjuice? We learned how to make that in Potions, but that was years ago. How do you know it's Polyjuice for sure, tons of potions have heinous odors."
"I may have brewed it second year."
"Why?"
"I like a challenge." Hermione shrugged, "Also, I am surprised you don't recognize the smell. Isn't your godfather the potion's master?"
"Oh, shut up." Draco grabbed the bottle, "Lets show the editor this, maybe it'll stop him."
"Wait, Draco." Hermione called, "We need to stop this."
"I know what you're talking about."
"You say I am shutting you out, but you accused me of lying to you."
"I had proof." Draco justified.
"That's the thing though. What happened then shouldn't apply to now. I am sorry I didn't tell you about the baby from the start and I am sorry I lied to you, but from now on if we want to both be in his life, we have to work together."
Draco nodded, "I am sorry too. Lets forget the past so we can have a better future."
"I agree," Hermione said as she dissolved the charm around the room, "Let's go."
Hermione and Draco walked back to the editor's office to find Narcissa walking out of it, "I tried everything. He won't change his mind."
"We found something that might." Draco said as he walked back in, "Excuse me, Mr. Apello, you can't print that article because you can't prove that Hermione said all of those things."
"Yes, I can. She signed a legal document that stated I could use the information she provided."
"Can I see this document?" Hermione asked.
Marcus waved his wand as the document slipped out of a filing cabinet, "See, she signed her name right here."
"That's not my signature." Hermione stated, "That is my name, but that is not my handwriting. Also, when did you say that I supposedly was interviewed by you?"
"I didn't, but you came here this morning. I worked on that article the moment you left so it could be completed for tomorrow's release."
"I have been at at the Malfoy Residence since last night, and was awoken by Mr. Malfoy this morning for breakfast."
"I am sorry I didn't believe you." Draco admitted.
"We'll talk later." Hermione whispered, "Anyway, Mr. Apello, we also found this in your women's restroom. Whoever told you that information was not me."
"What is this?" He asked.
"Polyjuice Potion. Someone pretended to be me." Hermione explained.
"Well, I can't use counterfeit information." Marcus stated, "But you guys do know that our tabloid isn't the only one with this story. The others are writing similar reports."
"Ugh, I forgot about them." Hermione sighed.
Marcus looked at her and smirked, "Miss Granger, I think I have a compromise that will benefit us both."
"She's not interested." Draco warned.
"Now, now, Mr. Malfoy. Here me out. Miss Granger here, gives all of us an exclusive interview about the real story, whatever it may be, and in exchange, we will publish that in place of the anonymous report."
"If all of you publish it, it is not very exclusive, is it?" Hermione countered.
"Regardless, I may not be able to publish this article, but something tells me you won't find bottles of polyjuice at every other publisher."
"He's not wrong, Hermione." Narcissa answered.
"I know, I just hate to reveal my private life like that. It's my business, not theirs."
"What other choice do we have?" Draco asked.
Hermione sighed. "On one condition." Marcus looked at her with intrigued.
"You have to send word to all publishers saying the story was fake, are we clear?"
"I'll set up a press conference immediately."
"We'll host it at the manor." Narcissa declared, "I want her to be comfortable."
"As you wish." Marcus agreed, "I'll notify the other reporters. When shall we come?"
Narcissa glanced at the clock, "In about an hour. I want to make sure that this meets your deadline so when the wizarding world opens up their magazines tomorrow, they find the truth."
"Very well, Lady Malfoy." Marcus turned to Hermione, "I look forward to hearing the true story, Miss Granger."
Author's Note: Hello Everyone! We hope you had a Happy New Year! We've heard your comments and understand that you don't like Blaise, but please know that the next arch of the story is completely Dramione. As for the grammatical errors, we sincerely apologize and will try to be better at editing our work. We also would like to thank all of our readers for sticking with this story and for following and commenting on our work. Please feel free to leave a review, good or bad, we believe constructive criticism is necessary when it comes to writing. If you wish to get ahold of us, you are more than welcome to send us a private message. We always respond as quickly as possible. Thank you for reading Chapter 17 of The Lion's Secret!
~AmatuerWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae