Chapter 19
One Step Closer
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
Hermione took a step back, "Blaise? What the hell are you doing in my room?"
Blaise looked at her confused, "You seem different? Is everything alright? Did he hurt you?"
Hermione shook her head, "What are you talking about? Draco? He hasn't done anything."
Blaise sighed, "Good. I must've made it just in time. Come on, we should go now before he notices you're gone."
"Blaise, you're not making sense. I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not going anywhere with you."
Blaise took a step forward as Hermione backed up, "Hermione, why are you acting like this? I'm here because you ask me to come."
"I never asked you here."
"Yes, you did. I felt bad after what happened at the party. I shouldn't have stormed out like that. I wanted to apologize, but I was afraid you were still angry at me."
"I am still angry at you."
"You said you forgave me. It's all in the letter."
"What letter? I didn't write you a letter."
Blaise began to look annoyed, "Yeah you did. You said that Draco kept you locked up in here and you wanted to leave."
"Draco hasn't done anything of the sort. He's been really nice to me and I've stayed here on my own free will."
"What about the letter? It's in your handwriting."
Hermione shook her head, "I didn't write you a letter. Do you have it with you?"
Blaise nodded as he removed a piece of folded parchment from his robes. On it was a broken red seal with the initials H.J.G. stamped on it.
"This is my seal." Hermione murmured.
"I didn't know it was yours, but I recognized the initials immediately."
Hermione was completely confused, "This is my seal, but I never use it anymore. My parents got it for me so I could stamp my letters home with it. I tried to use it as often as I could, but it became a hassle to melt it down and wait for it to dry."
Hermione opened the trifold letter and began to read:
Blaise,
I know we aren't in the best place right now, but I wanted to apologize for everything that happened at the party. I need you to know that I don't have any feelings for Draco; it is you I love. He's keeping me locked in the manor. All the floo passages are sealed and I can't apparate while pregnant. Please come get me. I understand if you don't forgive me, but I wouldn't ask unless it was absolutely necessary. I'm afraid what will happen while I'm here. Please come."
Love,
Hermione
"What!" Hermione exclaimed, "I didn't write any of this!"
The door swung open to reveal Draco who gingerly strolled in, only to have his face contort with anger.
Hermione saw him, "Draco, don't."
"Petrificus Totalus!" White sparks shot through Draco's wand and made a direct hit for Blaise. With his arms at his side, Blaise felt to the floor, completely paralyzed.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Me?" Draco lashed back, "What the bloody hell are you doing? I thought we were making progress! I leave you for ten minutes and this bastard had already slithered into your bed!"
"Hardly!" Hermione scoffed, "I came into my room and he was in here."
"Because you asked him to?" Draco glared at her, "I can't believe I thought this was going to work out."
"Draco, stop it!" Hermione yelled, "He came in here with a letter that was written by-"
"So now you're exchanging love notes?" Draco seethed. He walked over to Blaise's unmoving body and kicked him straight in the crotch.
Hermione gasped, covering her mouth. Blaise's eyes lit up in pain as tears fell onto his cheeks.
"Serves you right." Draco sneered.
"Draco! Listen to me! I didn't write him any letters. Someone did under my name. I think it was the same person who pretended to be me at The Quibbler."
Draco looked at Hermione and motioned for the letter. She gave it to him and asked, "Does that even remotely sound like what's happened?"
Draco shook his head, "No."
"Exactly. I don't remotely feel that way. Blaise was victimized by this person. Whoever is pretending to be me knows that Blaise has feelings for me."
Blaise in the corner of the room made jutted sounds through his teeth, drawing their attention to him, "Oh, Blaise, I'm so sorry. Finite."
Blaise's body went limp before his hands clasped over privates, "Merlin's Beard!"
He exclaimed, "I'm going to Avada you for that Malfoy."
"Consider ourselves even after everything that's happened."
"We may be friends again, but when you least expect it, I'll get you back for this."
Hermione sighed as she stroked her bump, "I'm glad your guys are friends again, but we need to decipher this letter. Whoever wrote this has been in my flat."
Draco looked shocked, "They have?"
"I don't stamp any of my letters with that seal. It's been collecting dust inside a junk drawer in my desk."
"You are definitely staying at the manor, no trial run or temporary living. This person could hurt the baby."
Hermione nodded, "I'm fully agree with you. I don't want anything to happen to our son. If they've been through my flat, we don't know what else they've taken."
Blaise raised his hand, "What if you go there tomorrow to collect your things? Draco and I can go with to protect you in case something happens."
"Alright, that sounds good. Now Blaise, if you would please leave."
Blaise nodded in discontent, and left after sending Draco a much needed glare.
"I'll go ask a house elf for some ice."
Draco was making his way out too when Hermione stopped him.
"Don't you dare leave." She said in a low cold tone. Luckily she was in an entire different wing, so at least she would not wake Narcissa.
Draco froze in slight fear. "Hermione you don-"
"Don't what, huh? I don't appreciate you coming in here making wild assumptions. We had a fantastic evening; practically perfect. I was just as surprised as you were seeing Blaise. I did not invite him here nor have I spoken with him since the party. Not to mention that it was very uncivilized to petrify him, out of simple jealousy."
"Hermione I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it. It's just… it feels like we are finally getting to a good place, and I feel like Blaise is going to ruin our progress."
Hermione saw the uneasiness in his eyes and walked up to Draco and embraced him, he pulled her close and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"I don't want to lose you or the baby."
Hermione felt a rogue tear run down her cheek. Draco lifted her chin up and wiped the tear.
"There's no need to cry." Draco said gently caressing her cheek.
Hermione placed her hand over Draco's, and they locked eyes. Draco slowly closed the distance, and placed his lips over her's. It was gentle, and tender, Hermione responded to the kiss, though it was only lasted a few minutes, it was a kiss she did not want to end. They separate and she rested her head on Draco's chest.
"As much as I want this moment to last forever, I should let you sleep." Draco said not releasing Hermione from their embrace.
"I know this a bit blunt, but stay." Hermione said.
A smile formed on Draco's face, "Are you sure? I could sleep on the couch if you want."
"Draco we are having a child together, and we are both adults. It is fine if we share the bed."
Hermione left Draco and walked into the bathroom to change. Draco waited for Hermione, he striped down to his boxers, and laid down on the bed, and moments later Hermione emerges from the restroom, in a black button up shirt. He sat up, and saw Hermione blushing.
"Is that my shirt?" Draco said smugly.
Hermione quickly walked to the bed and covered herself in the duvet out of embarrassment.
Draco uncovered her face. "Hermione there's no need to be embarrassed. It was just a question."
"Yes, it's yours. It was the first thing I saw when I woke up after that morning. I've kept it because no matter how big my stomach grows it still fits, and it is also really comfortable."
Draco started to laugh.
"It's not funny Draco."
"No, I'm laughing because I find it cute."
Hermione turned to face Draco, "Really?"
"Yes, I do. Now let's go to sleep."
Hermione got closer to Draco and laid her head on his arm. The two drifted into a comfortable sleep.
Draco had been up for thirty minutes. His muscles ached from staying in the same position, but he wasn't about to wake Hermione. She had curled up to him at some point in the night with her arm resting on his bare chest. Her bump was nuzzled into Draco's side. At point in the night, he felt a kick and was alive with amazement, but kept to himself to avoid waking her.
The kicks returned now. Draco let out a breathy chuckle to the rhythmic beats that occurred along his side. Hermione began to stir awake. Her hand secured itself over his shoulder and grabbed around the surface. She felt around as Draco saw her eyebrows furrow. She didn't know where she was.
At last, she peeled apart her crusted eyes to see a muscular chest and what more, Draco was attached to it.
"Oh Draco!" Hermione said alarmed, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"
"It's okay, I let you sleep. We both know that it'll be precious soon enough."
"How long were you awake? I wouldn't have mind-"
Hermione was silenced when Narcissa knocked on the door. She plunged under her covers into hiding.
"Good morning, Hermi- Draco?" Narcissa said in surprised.
"Mother," Draco greeted simply.
Narcissa clicked her tongue, "I send you two out on a date and I found you in her bed."
Draco smirked, "What can I say? It went really really well."
Draco winced at the pinch Hermione gave him under the covers.
"Mmhmm. Well, I'll send breakfast to you in here. I think you two need a moment to yourselves." Narcissa was about to depart when she turned around, "And Miss Granger? Just so you know, I can see you." Narcissa smiled as she returned to leave.
"Good to know, Narcissa." Hermione sighed beneath the covers. When the door closed Hermione whipped the duvet back to breath.
"If you want my opinion-"
"I don't." Hermione stated flatly
Draco continued, "I was going to say that you're camouflage was exceptional, but I'll have to dock points for discovery."
Hermione sighed, "How did she even see me?"
"I'm afraid Draco jr. gave you away."
"I said middle name. We are not naming him Draco."
"It's a perfectly good name. It's even written in the stars."
"You're impossible." Hermione huffed.
They both sat there, their backs resting against the headboard when Draco spoke, "Are you going to get dressed?"
"Are you?"
"And ruin a perfect opportunity to take more clothes off? Yeah right."
"Draco…" Hermione warned, "it's not going to happen."
"You can't control what we have. My passion can't be reigned in."
"Keep telling yourself that. If it's going to be that difficult for you to 'reign yourself in' then I suggest you sleep in your room."
"I will if you are there."
"Draco," Hermione said again, "I'm not going to sleep with you."
Draco threw his arms behind his head, "You'd like my room. Nothing, but the highest quality sheets, the softest pillows, and the sexiest man alive."
"Maybe you should sleep with him if he's so sexy."
Draco glared, "Ha. You're so funny. Wow, I hope our kid gets your humor."
"Sarcasm, what a great way to start the morning." Hermione finally peeled herself from the bed and stood up. She wobbled for a second, before shuffling towards her dresser.
"Okay, I can't help it." Draco admitted, "I am so turned on by you in my shirt."
Hermione laughed, "This just in: Wizard attracted to whale."
Draco climbed across the bed to her side. He pulled her in, so the backs of her thighs hit the bed.
"You're beautiful, Hermione." Draco murmured. His hands warily enclosed themselves around her bump. Draco thought there was a war zone inside.
"How many are there?" Draco exclaimed.
Hermione laughed, "It better be just the one. I couldn't handle more than that."
"He's crazy this morning." Draco added.
"He's kicks like this only when I am around you." Hermione explained, "I think he knows who you are."
Draco was filled with joy, his son recognized him. Jumping off the bed, he kneeled down on the floor and placed a kiss on Hermione's bump. The baby sent another kick, making Draco chuckle.
A pair of house elves appeared with trays in hand. They conjured a table that seated two.
"Thank you." Draco said to the two. The house elves set the table then apparated away.
"Hermione come sit down and eat. Get dressed afterwards." Draco said, though it was for his own selfish reason for keeping Hermione in his shirt as long as possible.
Hermione sat down, and they both ate in silence.
"How did you sleep last night Hermione?"
"I slept better than usual. I barely felt him kick through the night."
"You didn't feel him but I did for sure, he kept kicking my side."
"I told you he can sense when you are around."
"That makes me so happy to know that he already knows who I am."
"There's this saying 'the blood calls'. A friend of mine told me that when she had her baby a few years ago."
They finished breakfast, and Hermione went to the bathroom and started the shower, and stepped inside. She submerged her head under the shower head, when she heard the faucet turn on. She move the shower curtain slightly to see Draco.
"What are you doing?" She asked cautiously.
"I came in hoping for a peep show." Draco said sarcastically.
"Draco!"
"Hermione," Draco laughed. "Calm down, I'm just brushing my teeth."
"You went to your room to get your toothbrush and came in here to brush them?"
"No, we keep extra toothbrushes in the bathroom for when guest stay over." He said showing Hermione a newly opened toothbrush package.
Hermione closed the curtain and continued her shower. "You couldn't have waited until I finished showering."
"Hermione, you've seen me naked, maybe you can repay the favor." Draco said drawing spirals on the shower curtain.
She grabbed the bar of soap and threw it over the curtain.
"Ouch." Draco said rubbing his head. "Real mature Hermione, throwing things what are you four."
"No, I'm actually five."
Draco picked up the bar of soap and stuck his hand in. "Here."
Hermione grabbed the bar, "Thank you."
Hermione was lathering her skin when she could still hear the sound of gurgling.
"Seriously Draco? You've must've brushed your teeth like three times now, get out."
"You get out. I have to take a shower too." Draco paused, "Unless you want to conserve water and-"
"No, get out already." Draco shrugged as the left the bathroom in defeat, but not before he swiped the clothes off the counter. His deed wasn't noticed immediately. The shower turned off and about eight minutes later…
"Draco!" Hermione yelled in frustration.
Draco lounged on the bed patiently waiting. Hermione stepped out of the bathroom with only a towel covering her body.
"Who's the five year old, now?" Hermione glared, tightening the towel.
"Certainly not me, this shirt was meant to fit a grown, muscular, man."
Hermione released he'd gotten dressed and his shirt of choice was the one she'd been sleeping in for the last seven months.
"Draco, that's my sleep shirt!" Hermione whined.
"Well, it's actually my shirt for daywear. Believe me, you can have it tonight."
"I won't want your stinky shirt then."
"It hasn't stopped you before."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Shirt, now."
Draco sighed seductively as he sensually unbuttoned the shirt. One button, another button, his chest was exposed before she finally pulled it off his back.
"Ooh, I like it when you're violent."
"Grow up," Hermione said as she stuffed the shirt under the pillow. She grabbed the clothes off the end of the bed and headed towards the bathroom.
"I'm going to head downstairs after this, are you coming?"
Draco nodded, "Yeah, I guess."
"Okay, then please put on a shirt."
Draco tilted his head, "That wasn't the kind of begging I was hoping for."
"Oh grow up."
Draco walked up behind Hermione and hugged her from behind, "As you wish."
When they were finally decent, Hermione and Draco descended the stairs. Narcissa sat below in an armrest admiring the morning paper, but folded it away just as they approached her.
"I'm glad to see that you're finally out of bed."
"Thank you for letting us sleep in mother."
Narcissa gave him a disapproving look, "I originally came in this morning to tell you that the papers published the interview. Overall, it's not a bad story. They combined it with your date last night. Their details are rather dull, so you'll have to fill me in." Narcissa insisted.
Draco shook his head, "Not now mother."
Narcissa sighed, but gave a swift nod as she took a sip of her tea.
"I'm sorry that you had breakfast alone."
Narcissa set her cup down, "I wasn't alone. Blaise joined me."
Hermione raised a brow, "He came over this morning?"
"No, I stayed the night," Blaise stated as he waltzed into the room, "Now that we are friends again, I figured I could make myself at home."
"Of course, Blaise. You are always welcome." Narcissa responded.
Blaise glanced at Hermione, "You look lovely today, Hermione."
Silence fell in the manor. Draco's jovial expression turned suspicious as he eyed Blaise.
Hermione nodded quickly, dismissing the compliment, "Thanks, Blaise."
Everyone sat there awkwardly until Hermione spoke again, "When do you guys want to head over to my place? I'm thinking we should do it before it gets dark."
Draco raised a brow, "This will be exciting; I've never seen your place before."
"It's really nice," Blaise offered, but Draco's reaction to his words was less than kind. He did not like entertaining the thought of Blaise in Hermione's flat.
"We can go now, if you want?" Hermione asked.
"I'm free." Blaise smiled.
"Then, let's go. I should have my floo network unlocked, so we travel that way."
"I'll have to reopen ours," Draco explained, "Mother blocked it because reporters kept trying to break in."
After Draco unlocked the network, Blaise and Hermione huddled in.
"The fireplace is a little small," Hermione noticed, "We may have to go separately."
Blaise already had floo powder in his hand, "We'll go and Draco will follow after us, right mate?"
"Okay."
Hermione looked surprised, "Really?"
"Yeah, I'll be right behind you."
Blaise shrugged, "See you there. Granger flat!"
Draco watch them get devoured into green smoke until the fireplace was vacant. Instead of grabbing a handle of floo powder, he walked over to his mother.
"Will it be ready by the time we get back?"
Narcissa smiled, "I was wondering when you were going to ask."
"Will it?"
"Yes, yes, Draco. It'll all be ready. Leave now, before they get suspicious."
Draco raised his hands, "Okay, I'm going."
Draco returned to the fireplace and shouted, "Granger flat!"
Draco walked into a tiny room that made him feel like Hagrid. All the furniture was pushed together. The bedroom wasn't closed off, but rather open to the public. He craned his neck to find a pantry area with a stove that he could only assume was a pathetic excuse for a kitchen.
"You've got to be kidding me." Draco breathed.
Hermione came out from behind a kitchen wall, "Draco, we are over here." He followed to find Blaise sitting at an island counter with a piece of parchment before him.
Hermione explained, "I asked Blaise for the letter so we could dissect it and maybe find anything out about who wrote it."
"Whoever did write this isn't an amateur, if we want to find anything about it we gonna need a pretty high leveled revealing charm."
"You don't think Aparecium will work?"
"It's worth a shot, but don't get your hopes up."
Hermione nodded as she prepared her wand, "Aparecium."
She tapped her wand on the parchment paper and they waited a few seconds to see if anything would happen, but nothing did.
"Now what are we going to do?" Blaise asked.
"I figured the spell wouldn't work, but I was hoping. Maybe there was a secret code… wait!"
Hermione pulled the parchment toward her to examine it closely. "What's this in the corner?" The three looked closer at it.
"It's a series of letters." Blaise stated.
"What does hgtrc mean?"
Hermione shook her head, "I don't know, but I do recognize the marking is erased pencil, which is a muggle invention."
"Muggle?" Draco and Blaise said simultaneously.
"Yes, muggles prefer pencils rather than quills. You can erase with them, that's why the mark is faded."
"So whoever did it has connections to muggles then?" Draco stated.
"Perhaps, but it doesn't rule out wizards. Plenty of half bloods and people in general use pencils. It's not an uncommon tool."
"I've never used one." Draco commented.
"Well, you are special kind of sheltered." She retorted.
"See if you two can figure anything out, while I pack."
"Let me help," Draco offered, "I don't want you lifting anything heavy."
"Okay, if you want. There's a suitcase underneath my bed that I can't really reach."
Draco nodded as he walked the short distance across the flat. Once on his hands and knees he grabbed a black suitcase and placed it on the bed.
"Do you need me to pack anything?"
"I'm just taking a few things. I won't stay too long. Hopefully I'll be able to find a new place soon."
Draco leaned into her, "What about you staying until the baby's born?"
Hermione nodded, "I will, but after that I'll need to find a place of my own. I can't live in your house. We… we aren't together."
"But, but we are going to be. I mean, just look at our first date!"
Hermione sighed, "You know I had a really great time, but I rushed into it. I got ahead of myself and the truth is, I don't want to move that fast. We had our first date and then we slept together."
"Well, we didn't sleep together, but I wish we did."
"Draco…"
"Please don't go back on this. You'll have a great time at the manor and what's better for a baby than to be raised by both his parents?"
"It's just a trial run, okay? Nothing permanent."
"I know, I know."
"Hey, I don't mean to interrupt, but there's someone at your window." Hermione's brows furrowed as she walked over.
"Owl Eyes!" Hermione exclaimed as she lifted the window open. The bird swooped in before resting on the perch on top of her dresser.
"I didn't know you had an owl, Hermione." Draco eyed the tawny owl who formed a deep gaze into his eyes."
Hermione smiled as she stroked his feathers, "He was my only connected to the wizarding world for the longest time. The Weasleys can't work a telephone for anything. I got tired of listening to them shout so I decided writing would be simpler."
"He's a very pretty bird, Hermione."
"Thank you, Blaise! I picked him out myself."
"He can live at the manor," Draco insisted, "It's not much, but mother and I use our attic as a makeshift owlery. It's where I keep my own owl."
Hermione looked surprised as she answers coyly, "You mean the prestigious Malfoy's don't have an official owlery?"
Quick on his feet Blaise stated, "Who needs owls when you've got the dark mark."
The room turned quiet as Draco and Hermione turned away from each other. Repressed memories teetered at the surface, but Hermione drowned them, "I'm going to grab my clothes." She walked into her closet only to find it vacant of any maternity wear other than what Ginny lent her.
"Ugh, I'll have to go shopping. I don't have any maternity wear."
Draco looked suspicious, "You're seven months pregnant and have no maternity wear? What have you been wearing all this time?"
Hermione bit her lip as she whispered, "Your shirt."
Draco smirked, "You're definitely on the best dressed list if you keep that up."
"It was never a concern for me. I've only gone out a number of times, and a majority of it was for parties held at the manor."
"We will have to get you some clothes then."
"We? There is no we. I am going shopping, but you are not invited."
"Awe, come on Hermione. One could blame me for the reason you need new clothes. The least I could do is buy you something to wear."
"With the way I don't spend my money, I probably have more than you."
Draco laughed, "I sincerely doubt that."
"You two can compare paychecks later, let's just get the stuff and go." Blaise said irritably. Hermione packed what little clothes she could fit in along with some regular clothes that she hoped wouldn't be useless after the baby was born.
Hermione went into the kitchen and unplugged the toaster. Blaise walked in to pick up the last box. She walked towards him to pack it away when Blaise dropped the box and let out a quiet, but unmanly shriek.
Hermione doubled over from laughter. "Blaise surely you still aren't terrified of this?"
"Get that bloody contraption away from me!"
Draco sauntered in out of curiosity. "What's he on about?"
"That!" Blaise said pointing to the small rectangular metal box.
He went to the toaster and picked it up. "There's nothing wrong with it."
"It's just that the last time Blaise was here," she tried to explain, "I made him toaster waffles, and he had no idea how it worked. So when they were ready they popped up and the sudden movement knocked him off his seat."
"That thing nearly gave me a heart attack." Blaise retorted.
"Mate, this thing can do no harm." Draco put the toaster in the box.
Hermione walked up to Blaise, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were that frightened by it."
"It's fine, but don't ever bring one near me again."
Hermione nodded.
The suitcase had a variety of different things when Draco asked, "Are you ready?"
Hermione paused, "All most, I want to look for the seal. It should be in my desk drawer, but…" Hermione mottled her hands between papers and junk before she reached the bottom, "it's gone."
"I'm sorry, Hermione." Blaise stated.
"It didn't mean that much to me. I just hate knowing someone has my things."
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door, "What? Who'd be at my door? I paid my rent." Hermione looked through the peephole, "Ugh, we should go."
Draco and Blaise came closer to the window to get a look at the man who waited before Hermione's door.
"Who's this bloke?" Blaise asked.
Hermione sighed, "My ex-boyfriend."
Draco glared at the man and then at Hermione, "You have an ex-boyfriend other than weaselbee?"
"Yes," Hermione huffed, "Believe it or not, I am allowed to date."
A knock came again and this time Hermione whispered, "Let's get out of here."
"This isn't the end of this conversation." Draco warned.
"Uh, yes it is. Get in the fireplace." Hermione bit back.
Blaise stood outside the hearth, "I'll follow you there."
Draco and Hermione threw floo powder to the ground before Draco turned around to face her, "Who was that?"
"His name is Ryan." She stated, "I dated him for like a month."
"When?"
"I broke up with him around your father's trial."
Draco looked serious, "Were you dating him when we… at my party?"
Hermione shook her head, "No. It was after."
"Did you ever-"
"Seriously? What's with the twenty questions? Look I dated him, he was nice enough, I found out I was pregnant and I was going to break-up with him because of that until he gave me another cause."
"What did he do?"
"He snooped through my things and figured out I was something of a witch. I erased his memory so he has no recollection of it."
"If you erased his memory then why was he knocking on your door?"
"He's my neighbor, maybe he wanted to reintroduce himself."
"Hermione what if he remember and try to say that the baby is his."
"We never slept together. Even if we did it would be none of your concern."
"Yes it would, because if you did how can you be a hundred percent sure if the baby is even m-" Hermione struck Draco across the face.
"Are you daft, this baby is your's and the tapestry is proof enough. How can you even think that? Do you really think that little of me?"
"Hermione, I didn't mean to belittle you. I just get so mad when I hear you talk about other men or just the thought of seeing you with someone other than me."
"Oh, so what you are saying is that you're jealous." Hermione teased.
"Draco Malfoy doesn't get jealous."
"Okay, first don't refer to yourself in the third person. If you get mad or upset if I talk too, or talk about guys then you are jealous."
"Don't talk nonsense, I've caused other to be jealous."
"Draco just admit it. You will feel better afterwards."
Draco opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by the sound of the fireplace as Blaise stepped out.
"That ex-boyfriend of yours is quite a catch." Blaise said sarcastically.
"You answered the door."
"Yes I was about to floo back, but the bloke wouldn't stop knocking so I answered. I was going to tell him you weren't there and he swung at me, but luckily I dodged it. He tried again but I caught his hand. I asked him what his business was, and all he told me was between you and him. So I told him to leave, after sending back a well deserved punch."
"Why would you do that?"
"He tried to punch me twice, if it was just the first I would have let it go, but the second one I would not stand for."
"Good job mate." Draco said while giving Blaise a man-hug.
"Ugh… men" Hermione rolled her eyes, "you always resort to violence."
"He deserved it. My quidditch years came in hand for this situation." Blaise bragged.
"I'll never understand the male population. I'll let you two have your moment, I'm going to look for Narcissa."
Hermione walked off, and found a house elf. "Excuse me?"
"What can Tibby, do for you?"
"Umm… Tibby, do you know where Narcissa is?"
"Madam Malfoy is in the garden."
"Thank you Tibby, can you bring us some tea please?"
"Right away Madam."
Hermione went to the garden to see Narcissa tending to the flowers. "Narcissa." Hermione said walking towards her.
"Oh Hermione dear, how are you?"
"I'm doing fine, Draco and Blaise are being boys, talking about quidditch, fighting, etc. So I wanted to see if you wanted to do some girl talk."
"Oh I would love too. I always wanted to have a daughter to be able to do things like this."
Tibby came out with the tea Hermione asked for and set it down on the patio table.
"Thank you Tibby." Hermione said.
"Yes, thank you." Narcissa followed.
They took their seats and Narcissa poured the tea. "So Hermione, I am extremely curious how your date went with Draco? It must have gone really well if you slept together."
Hermione blushed, "We didn't sleep together, but we slept together. As in all we did was sleep."
"Well then go on tell me about the date."
"Draco and I went out to dinner at The Lotus. Oh by the way, thank you for the clothes, I loved them. I thought that it was going to be awkward, but I had a great time. We talked about the future, the baby, and Draco was even preoccupied on what I ate so I wouldn't harm the baby. The only thing that took me by surprise was that Draco wants to leave everything to the baby."
"Everything?"
"Yes, Draco said that he wants to leave the baby the manor, his inheritance, and his shares from Malfoy incorporated, along with whatever he earns at the moment. Not to mention he has named me the trustee until our son is of age."
"My my, Draco is truly devoted." Narcissa said taking a sip of her tea.
"I told him it was unfair for you, and his future wife." Hermione twirled the contents of the teacup.
"Hermione it is not inequitable, Draco is the heir, which means he has every right to distribute our assets in whatever means he wants."
"But if our son receives everything, what about you? I will feel horrible if you are left with nothing."
"There is no need to fret darling, I do own some shares from Malfoy incorporated, but before I married Lucius my surname was Black, so either way I will be secure if anything were to happen."
"That makes me feel better at least."
"You do not need to worry for me Hermione, just think of your child and what is best for him."
"I know, but I am not sure if I know what is best, I don't think I'll be a good mother. I feel conflicted, about everything that has been going on." Hermione confessed.
"Don't say that I know you will be a terrific mother. You know when I was pregnant with Draco, I felt the exact same way, I feared I was going to be a terrible mother, and I tried very hard to prove myself wrong, but when Voldemort came back, I was positive that I was what I feared. I forced Draco to choose the wrong side and I regret it every single day. But now I am trying to make up for it." Narcissa set down her cup and picked up a napkin to wipe a stray tear.
"Thank you."
"Whatever for?" Narcissa questioned.
"I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me. Normally I would confess everything to my mother, but now it's not that easy. I can't say you are a replacement, but I am happy that I can confide in you, just like I would to my mother. My son is going to be very lucky to have a grandmother like you." Hermione stood up and Narcissa did the same, Hermione pulled Narcissa into a hug.
Draco walked into the garden and saw Hermione and his mother. He was at ease during this scene. Clearly his mother and the mother of his child have a fairly good relationship. He walked up to the two and cleared his throat.
They separated and look up at Draco. "Mother, is it alright if I borrow Hermione?"
"It's not me who you should be asking." Hermione snickered at Narcissa's comment.
Draco rolled his eyes and turned his head to Hermione. "Hermione do you have a minute? I wanted to show you something."
Hermione looked to Narcissa. "It is fine dear go ahead."
"Okay" Hermione answered.
Draco held Hermione's hand as he led her back inside the manor.
Narcissa watched as they enter hand in hand. She notices how the two look at each other.
Tibby apparated next to Narcissa, and began to clean up. Narcissa looked down to Tibby, "I wonder how long it will take them to realize they are in love with one another."
"Yes, madam I agree. Tibby notices Master Malfoy's mood is better when Miss Granger is here."
"Yes indeed Tibby, I have noticed that too."
Author's Note: We hope you enjoyed these chapters of The Lion's Secret, the next chapter is still in the works but once completed it will be posted as soon as we can. And thank you for understanding and most importantly not giving up on us or The Lion's Secret.
~ AmatuerWriter98 and AnonymousMaknae