Chapter Fourteen
"I'm sorry Hermione, there is no other way" Draco said holding her close, "They won't be able to get past my fathers wards without me, I really don't want to go back to that shithole"
"Promise me that you will come back to me" Hermione whispered.
"I swear it" he said placing a soft kiss on her lips, "You can kill me yourself if I don't come back" he smirked at her,
"You are a nightmare" she smiled weakly.
"You love it really" he smiled,
"Sorry guys, but we have to get going" Harry interrupted, "Hermione, Ginny will be going with you and Kingsley to the safe house, I will come and get you both when it is safe" he said,
Hermione hugged Draco a little tighter,
"Please come back soon" she whispered; Draco gave her one more kiss before they left.
Harry stepped through the barrier, Draco's hand on his shoulder.
"Hold back a bit" Draco said, before placing his hand on the wall beside the door, "I Draco Lucious Malfoy claim Malfoy Manor as birth right and my welcome Harry James Potter and his Aurors to the manor" he winced as a pain shot through his palm "Fuck that hurt, he cussed
"What did you do" Harry asked,
"Gave you a free pass to go through the manor, well from anything my tyrannical father put in place, there could be spells Dolohov has put up so best to keep our guards up" from ahead of them came a slow clapping
"So, the prodigal son returns," Antonin said from the top of the staircase, "Wouldn't daddy be so proud"
"Antonin Dolohov, you are under arrest, for coercion, the use of Unforgivable curses, kidnap, war crimes and Murder…and that just off the top of my head" Harry said his wand pointed at the man,
"You're in my house now" Antonin said, "And I'm not alone" the group where suddenly surrounded by masked figures,
"Potter, you look after Hermione for me" Draco yelled before slamming his on the wall, "I DRACO LUCIOUS MALFOY REJECT ANY DEATHEATERS FROM THE MANNOR DISABLE THEM NOW" a loud banning ran through the manor before every death eater collapsed to the floor, Draco included.
Harry ran to the blonds side, as he yelled orders to his men to contain the death eaters, and to search the property from top to bottom.
"Malfoy what the hell did you do?" Harry said checking Draco for a pulse "Hermione is going to kill me" he groaned but let out a sigh upon feeling a steady pulse,
"Seamus, I need to get Malfoy to St. Mungo's Are you able to round everyone up and get them to Azkaban, I'll sort out the paperwork when I return. I'll also send some healers when they get a chance to make sure there is no permanent damage…we are better than they are after all" he said.
"No problem" Seamus nodded and began ordering the large team of Aurors as Harry levitated Draco out of the manor and along the grounds to a point where he could apparate the two of them to St. Mungo's.
"Mr Potter" the sectary gasped as he barged past the que of waiting wizards and witched,
"This is an emergency" he said continuing through to the Resus room, "I need Healers here now" he called as he placed Draco on one of the medical cots.
"Mr Potter, we can't just drop everything because you say so" the healer chastised the man,
"You listen to me, If he dies, someone worse than Voldemort will be after me, someone who when angry, who scares me more than he ever did" Harry said,
"Fine tell me what happened" The healer sighed, his mind running in circles trying to figure out who he meant.
"I'm not really sure, I think its an old magic…" Harry began explaining all that had happened.
"I'll need to speak with my colleagues, His vitals are all normal, but I can not seem to rouse him" the healer explained, "I'm afraid Mr Malfoy will be admitted to our long-term residents' ward. Until we can work out what magic caused this."
"I'm a dead man" Harry sighed, causing the healer to give into his curiosity
"I'm sorry, but who is scarier than the dark lord?" he asked,
"Hermione Granger" Harry said "Actually, I forget to say Mr Malfoy wasn't the only one affected by whatever he did, there were at least 15 Death eaters I've had my team take them to Azkaban, they will all need checking on on…but honestly no rush on them" Harry said,
"Thank you, Mr Potter, I'll let the board know they will have several healers go there when they have time" the healer nodded, before Harry made his way towards the exit dreading his next task.
Ginny looked up as the door opened,
"Harry" she said, running to embrace her husband, "What's wrong…where is Draco"
"Where's Hermione?" he asked, not wanting to repeat the news another time,
"I slipped her a dreamless sleep, she's been running circles all day, I'm surprised there is any carpet left" Ginny said, "Harry where is Draco" she asked, as Kingsley came in from the balcony,
"Harry" he smiled,
"How long will she be asleep?" Harry asked ignoring the older man,
"Harry Potter, answer me NOW!" Ginny snapped,
"He's in St. Mungo's and I have no idea what is going to happen to him" he finally snapped out, "So I'll ask again, how long will she be asleep" Ginny and Kingsley both staired at harry their mouth hanging open,
"A…an hour or so" Ginny finally got out,
"I'm sorry Ginny, I just know this is going to destroy her, I've already explained what happened once and don't want to have to do it over and over, especially as I don't have a clue as to what is happening or if he will ever wake up" he sighed running his hand through his hair,
"Harry, you need some rest. Go, I will wake you when Miss Granger wakes." Kingsley said,
"I can't I should get the paperwork done" Harry said almost robotically,
"Paperwork can wait, I'll deal with anyone who says otherwise, now get some rest" the minister said
"Come on Harry" Ginny said taking Harry's hand and leading him to one of the bedrooms.
"How can I tell Hermione that Malfoy is in some sort of coma" Harry asked, as Ginny sat him down and pulled him into a hug,
"It'll be ok, Kingsley and I will be here, I'm sure the healers will be doing everything in their power to wake him up" she said gently stroking his hair as he rested his head on her chest, "she'll hex me into the next century" he said,
"No, she won't, she knew the risks, as did Draco, she will be hurting so she my scream and shout" Ginny said, "but that wont last long after that she will insist on going to the library and researching how to help him, she will just need you by her side, as she has been for you" Ginny said, "now, sleep" she whispered moving to pull away but Harry kept his arms around her waist,
"Can we just stay like this?" he asked hiding his face in her chest,
"Ok" she smiled and returned to stroking his hair.
"So, they don't know why he wont wake up?" Hermione asked, she was taking the news better than Harry had imagined,
"No but they have the best Healers looking at the case, we're hoping that he will just wake up, Seamus reported back that all fifteen death eaters have woken with no side effects" Harry said, he was currently sat beside Hermione holding her hand whilst Ginny and Kingsley sat on chairs opposite them,
"I want to help" Hermione said, "He was fine until I came into his life, it seems that it all comes back to me" she said,
"No Hermione, don't think like that, from everything I've seen and everything we have discovered, this would be happening to both of you weather you had met or not"
"He wouldn't have gone with you to the manor if not for me" Hermione said,
"I think he would, Hermione," Kingsley said, "Something the three of you don't know was that Draco had come to Dumbledore before he died, I was with them he became a mole for the dark lord, He reported to me throughout the war, he saved many lives" Kingsley said,
"I repeat a statement I've been saying a lot lately…That man is full of suppresses" Harry said,
"Kingsley, I would like permission to access the department of mysteries and the ministry library" Hermione said,
"If I say no, will you break in anyway" Kingsley smiled,
"Do you want to find out" Harry smirked,
"Not really, I'll let them know you are to have unrestricted access" he said, "But as of Monday, I think you need to take the next few days to rest and perhaps visiting St. Mungo's as Harry said, he may wake up"
"I guess I can accept stipulation" Hermione nodded.
*Three months later*
Hermione flicked through another scroll that contained ancient and dark magic. There had been no change in Draco's condition over the last three months and Hermione had been researching every day since.
"Hermione, you need to take a break" Harry said watching her
"Harry, I still have over 100 scrolls before I even get to books written in the nineteenth century…I may need to get Kingsley to allow me access to the Malfoy Manor, perhaps the information we need is in there" she said running her gloved finger down the lines of text picking out words, when nothing stood out, she rolled the scroll and returned it to the stasis tube
"Hermione, I don't want you going there" Harry said, "Draco wouldn't want you there either" Harry snapped,
"Just leave me alone Harry I have a lot of work to do" she said,
"Ginny said if you are not home by six, for dinner she would come here and hex you" Harry said, "And it's…Hermione?" Harry ran forward. Hermione had stood to return the scroll but had collapsed to the floor, firing off his patronus he scooped Hermione up before rushing her to St. Mungo's.
Hermione looked at the healer,
"How far?" she asked,
"I would say around 20 weeks" The woman said,
"Can you tell paternity this early?" she asked,
"This early, we can, but there is a risk of miscarrying" she explained, Hermione nodded, "I'll leave you to dress, but Miss Granger, you need to take better care of yourself, you're not just looking after yourself now" she stepped out of the room allowing Ginny and Harry to enter,
"Hermione, thank goodness, what did the healer say" Ginny asked,
"The abortion didn't work" Hermione said numbly
"That's not possible" Harry said, "That pregnancy was accelerated,"
"Hermione, it has to be Draco's, the pregnancy before was accelerated…The child would have been born by now if it wasn't his" Ginny said holding her friend's hand,
"Hermione?" harry asked, "You should go and tell Draco, I know he can hear us, perhaps this news will give him more reason to fight"
"What if it makes him give up, what if he doesn't want it" Hermione asked tears streaming down her face.
"Hermione, I don't think that will be the case, he was besotted with you and would be besotted with the baby" Ginny said "come on lets go see Draco, then we will go home and eat" she smiled hugging her friend
Hermione had felt guilty for not using every hour of the day to fine a cure for Draco but she had also come to the conclusion that he would want her to take care of herself and her baby. She had been living with Ginny and Harry, but after they announced that they were expecting twins, Hermione decided that she needed to get back on her feet
"Are you sure you are ready for this?" Harry asked as he carried Hermione's last box into the small muggle flat, she just signed the lese on,
"Like you, Ginny, Ron, Molly, Charlie, Bill, Fleur…um Minerva and Andromeda and countless other have said, Draco would want me to take care of our child, I have to start doing that and not relying on you guys."
"I know we said you need to get moving again, we didn't mean move out" Harry said,
"I know, but you and Ginny have the twins on their way and you will need all the room possible, besides I think I need to do this for me…I think I was using you all, deep down I knew you guys wouldn't let me starve, but it let me wallow in self-pity, now it's time I got my act together, besides, I've spoken with Minerva I'm heading back to Hogwarts in September, Minerva and I have an arrangement, Winky is going to be nanny for me while I'm working and I'm only teaching years one to three until this one is a little older" Hermione said rubbing her round belly,
"You know we're still here for you too, Molly said she's looking forward to mover grandchildren to spoil and specifically mentioned you" Harry smiled hugging his friend.
"I know, did you and Kingsey consider my request" she asked,
"Yes, I'm not happy about it, but Kingsley has agreed to send in the secret keepers to go through the library, he wants them to catalogue the books anyway, once they are sure that they pose no risk to you or the baby, he will allow you to spend a couple of hours a day to go through them" Harry said,
"Thank you" she said, "I went and spoke to Draco last night," she said, "I held his hand to my belly and this one kicked, I swear I felt his had twitch, he is still in there" she said,
"That's a brilliant sign" Harry smiled. The two of them chatted for an hour before Harry headed home, leaving Hermione alone for the first time since she found out she was pregnant
"So" she said sitting on the couch kicking her trainers off and freeing her swollen feet, "What are we going to do this evening" her hand resting on her bump where she felt a little foot kicking it.
Hermione slowly made her way down the hall, her hands gripping at the rail that ran the length of the hall, people passing her without a second glance, causing her to curse, why now when she could use a little help that no one paid any attention to her. She gritted her teeth and gripped tightly to the rail, as another pain shot through her stomach. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself before beginning to walk towards her destination.
She was almost there when a passing nurse finally saw her and summoned a wheelchair assisting her in reaching the maternity ward.
"Can we call the father?" one of the nurses asked,
"No, he's in a coma" Hermione said through gritted teeth, "Call Harry and Ginny Potter," she said,
"Of course," she nodded as Hermione transferred from the chair to the bed
"How far along are you?" the midwife asked,
"Around 38 or 39 weeks" she said, "No potions, I have a birth plan, my midwife is Penelope Clearwater, I want her here" Hermione said, "We have already called her Miss Granger, her name was noted on your medical chart" one of the nurses smiled,
"I just need to check how dilated you are" the midwife said before circling her wand over Hermione, "23:21 dilation at 3CM, head is down and contractions are around five minutes apart, mother and Baby heartbeats healthy" she dictated as another nurse took notes, "It's early days Miss Granger, are you sure you don't want any pain potions" she asked,
"No, Penelope is bringing Gas and Air" Hermione said,
"Ah, I forgot you're a muggle-born, it's admirable that you want to stick to Muggle traditions, but the potion is so much more effective" the woman said,
"No potions, my mother had me with gas and air and ever since I was a child, I knew I was not going to do it any different, I want to be able to feel, epidurals and potions take that away, so I appreciate your advice but I want to continue with the birth plan I have in place" she said, "If something out of the blue happens then of course do what you have to, but until then" Hermione stopped as another contrition ripped through her, she concentrated on breathing through the pain until it ebbed away,
"I understand" the woman nodded, "I will check if Mr and Mrs potter or Miss Clearwater have arrived, if there is anything we can do, please let us know" she said before she and all but one nurse left,
"I'll be here the whole time Miss Granger, I'll be monitoring both your and the babies' vitals, if you require anything just ask." She smiled, as she busied herself in the corner preparing the cot for the new arrival, "Do we have a name picked out yet?" she smiled as she filled out the identification card,
"I do but I don't know the gender." She said,
"Ah I'll just put baby Granger for now," she smiled,
"Malfoy-Granger" Hermione said,
"My apologies" she said correcting the information, "Do you have any specific clothes you want put on the little one" she smiled, the next couple of hours went slowly, Harry and Ginny had arrived followed shortly but Penelope. The nurse River, would chat with Penelope whilst making regular check on the progression of the labour.
The following day at 10:45, Ginny had excused herself and allowed Harry to support his friend through the birth, at 11:12 with a wail Hermione and Draco's daughter was born weighing a respectable 5.7 ponds.
"It's a girl, Hermione, you have a beautiful daughter" he said dabbing the cool flannel on her brow,
"Persephone" Hermione whispered as the girl was brought over and placed in her mother's arms "Hello my little Persephone Malfoy-Granger" she smiled,
"She's perfect" Harry smiled, "Hello Persephone, I'm your Uncle Harry" he smiled. "I should go tell Ginny, I think Molly and the rest of the Weasleys are out there too" he smiled,
"Thank them but I need to take her to Draco first." She said,
"That's fine they are just here to make sure you are ok" he smiled,
"Ginny can come in through" she smiled.
An Hour later Harry was pushing Hermione and a sleeping Persephone, in a wheelchair towards the private room where Draco was.
"Here we go" Harry said placing her beside the bed,
"Can you lay her on his chest" Hermione asked allowing Harry to take the babe, he carefully placed the baby on her stomach on Draco's chest,
"Hey Malfoy, this little miracle is your and Hermione's daughter" he said, surprised that at those words Draco's eyes began to move below his eyelids, "Malfoy?" Harry asked, "I need to get the healer" Harry said moving to take the baby and return her to her mother but as he did Draco's hand gripped his wrist,
"Draco?" Hermione gasped, gingerly getting to her feet she moved to his side just as his eyes flickered open.