Chapter 16: Lost in the Grey

Hermione sat on the couch, clutching a large tub of ice cream as though it were her only lifeline. Next to her, Parvati mirrored her with her own spoon, the soft clinks of metal against the carton the only sound breaking the silence. Hermione's eyes were red and puffy from crying, her chest still heavy with the weight of what had just happened. For the past thirty minutes, she had sobbed uncontrollably in Parvati's arms, unable to process the sting of Draco's betrayal. Now, with some time and distance from the initial shock, she was feeling a little better, though the ache in her heart remained.

"I should have known it was too good to be true," Hermione said softly, her voice tinged with bitterness as she scooped another spoonful of ice cream, letting it melt slowly in her mouth. The cold sweetness did little to ease the chill of hurt she felt inside.

"Hey, don't say that," Parvati replied, her tone gentle but firm. "You deserve to be happy, Hermione. It's not wrong to hope for that. Besides, you can't expect every good thing to just fall apart."

Hermione gave a sad smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I don't know how to feel about this," she confessed, staring at the half-empty tub of ice cream in her lap. "Is it weird that a part of me still wants Draco to be the father of this baby? After everything I saw tonight?"

Parvati set her spoon down for a moment, thinking carefully before she spoke. "It's not weird. It's actually not that surprising, especially when your other option is Ron."

Hermione's frustration flared up again, and she set the tub down on the coffee table with a sharp sigh. "Exactly!" she exclaimed, running a hand through her hair. "This is all his fault. He created this situation where I can't win. No matter what choice I make, it feels wrong."

Parvati nodded slowly, understanding the impossible position Hermione had been put in. "It's not just you, though," she added thoughtfully. "Even Draco can't win here. He has even less choice than you. He's stuck, too."

"I know," Hermione admitted, her voice cracking slightly as she leaned back against the couch cushions. "But I can't believe he lied to me, Parvati. The Draco I've seen in the last few days seemed so open, so sincere. The man I saw tonight...he was more like the Draco from school. I don't even know what's real anymore. Has he really changed, or was it all just an act?"

Parvati leaned back as well, tapping her chin in thought before answering. "I think he has changed, but maybe not as much as you thought. But let's be honest here—can you imagine the Draco from school helping you around the house, even if it was for his own selfish reasons?"

Hermione frowned, her mind spinning as she considered Parvati's words. It was true. The Draco of their Hogwarts days wouldn't have lifted a finger for anyone but himself. He had been the epitome of entitlement, sneering at anyone he considered beneath him. And yet, the man she'd seen over the past few weeks had been different—attentive, caring, even thoughtful in ways she never imagined possible.

"It didn't make sense tonight," Hermione murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. "The sudden change in his personality was just... shocking."

Parvati nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. It is confusing. And how could Harry miss something as big as Draco having a girlfriend?"

Hermione's eyes widened in realization. "Oh my God, you're right. He missed it! He took two whole weeks to investigate, and yet... he missed something that important."

"I know, that's so unlike him. Even I could have easily figured out who draco was seeing." Parvati agreed, her voice tinged with frustration. "If he hadn't, It wouldn't have mattered whether Draco told you or not."

Hermione sighed, now feeling even more perplexed. "I should talk to Harry. It feels like we're missing something crucial here."

"You do that" said Parvati. " I can't believe this is happening to you. I feel bad for Draco as well. he was already in a relationship when all of this happened, what Ron did put him in a tough situation"

Hermione closed her eyes, sighing deeply. Parvati was right. Draco had been wrong to keep the truth from her, but he wasn't entirely to blame. He had been caught up in the chaos that Ron had created, and now he was as lost as she was.

"You're right," Hermione muttered, pressing the heels of her hands against her tired eyes. "But he should have told me about his girlfriend. He shouldn't have kept that from me."

"I agree," Parvati said gently. "He should have been honest. But at the same time, I can see why he didn't. It's a complicated situation, Hermione, and he probably didn't want to risk losing his child. You know how important family is to him, especially with both of his parents now gone."

Hermione nodded slowly, her heart heavy. "I just don't know what to do," she admitted, her voice filled with frustration. "I can't go back to Ron, and Draco doesn't seem like the right option either. I'm completely stuck."

Parvati studied Hermione for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "Okay, let's look at it this way. Forget about Ron and Draco for a second. Think about what you want. What do you want for yourself and for the baby?"

Hermione blinked, taken aback by the question. What did she want? For so long, her decisions had been shaped by the chaos that Ron and Draco had caused, and she hadn't really thought about what she wanted.

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I guess... I just want my baby to be loved. I want them to grow up in a stable home, with people who truly care about them. That's the most important thing, isn't it?"

Parvati smiled softly, nodding. "Exactly. And whether that includes Draco or not, that's something you have to figure out. But just remember, you're not alone in this. You have friends who care about you and your baby."

Hermione's lips quirked into a faint smile. "You're right. I've been so caught up in this mess that I forgot about the bigger picture. I just want what's best for my child."

Parvati leaned back, satisfied that Hermione was starting to think more clearly. "That's all that matters. And if Draco is what's best, then maybe you'll find a way to make it work. But if not, you'll still be okay. There are other options."

Hermione gave a weak laugh, though the tension was still palpable in the room. "Other options like what? Some random guy who will take pity on me because I'm the 'golden girl' and I'm having a baby?"

Parvati raised an eyebrow, smiling mischievously. "Well, you are quite the catch, Hermione. I'm sure I could find someone willing to marry you and raise this baby."

"Please don't," Hermione replied with a grin. "The last thing I need is to be stuck with someone who doesn't love me or the baby."

"Are you sure?" Parvati teased. "I know a few eligible bachelors who might be interested. You'd be surprised how many people are fascinated by you."

Hermione shook her head, laughing despite the weight of her emotions. "No, thanks. If anything, I might just have to accept Draco. At least I know he loves the baby."

Parvati tilted her head, her expression curious. "How can you be so sure?"

Hermione looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the edge of the ice cream carton. "Because I saw the way he cared for me. It wasn't for me—it was for the baby. I may not trust him anymore, but I know he'll be a good father. And my baby deserves to have that kind of love in their life. Someone who would do anything for them."

Parvati nodded thoughtfully, considering Hermione's words. "You're right. If he cares that much about the baby, then maybe there's still something there. But it's a lot to take in, Hermione. You don't have to decide anything right now."

Hermione sighed, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on her again. "I just wish I had more time. I hate feeling like everything is spinning out of control."

Parvati reached out, squeezing Hermione's hand reassuringly. "Take things one step at a time. You'll figure it out. And if you change your mind, I can always start asking around," she joked.

"Please don't," Hermione said with a smile. "That's a bad idea."

With that, Parvati stood up, giving Hermione one last reassuring hug before heading toward the door. "I'll check in on you tomorrow. Get some rest, okay? And remember, you don't have to do this alone."

Hermione watched her friend leave, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. Despite everything, she was lucky to have friends like Parvati who were willing to stand by her, even when things seemed impossible. But she also knew that the answers she needed were still out there, waiting to be uncovered.

Gathering her resolve, Hermione grabbed her coat and prepared to head to Harry's. Something about Draco's situation wasn't adding up, and if anyone could help her figure it out, it was Harry. Answers were out there, and she was determined to find them.