He\'s Come Undone

“How long is she going to mope around this way?”

Underneath her little fortress of comforters Hermione was debating whether she really wanted to get up and go get that extra piece of chocolate from the kitchen. She was just deciding against it when she heard her father’s hushed voice. Furrowing her brow, she straightened up a little.

“We just need to stay supportive.”

That was her mother. But, why were they talking about her?

“This is getting ridiculous. She needs to go back to her own apartment and deal with this appropriately.” Her father’s voice was no longer cautious and low.

“Just give her time.”

Hermione sighed and pulled the covers back over her face, reflecting on the past few days. She wasn’t a mess….was she? The last two weeks had been hellish no doubt.
After she had walked away from Draco that night, she had come home and decided to apologize. However, there had been no response to her owl. Anger and a desire to rip Draco’s prissy little head off had slowly transitioned into concern over his wellbeing. He had never, even in the midst of their biggest arguments ever failed to respond to her. In fact it was usually he who initiated a mediation and compromised. Just as she was getting ready to go over and check on him in person, she had heard the tapping of an owl against her window.

It was Draco’s owl no doubt about that. She had unfurled the parchment hurriedly, expecting a long note of apology. She was disappointed when she was only 1 line written across it.

“I have to go away for awhile.”
-Draco

Hermione had read the parchment so many times it was ripping around the edges. Finally in a spurt of anger she had thrown it into the fire. Watching it burn had given a sense of satisfaction, but it didn’t bring her any answers.

Where was he going? Why was he avoiding talking to her?

He must be breaking up with her. He had found someone more attractive, better suited to his lifestyle and Father’s liking, Hermione had decided bitterly. And that was when she decided to seek solace in the comfort of her bed and Honeydukes chocolate.


Draco Malfoy was at a loss. Ginny Weasley was sitting in front of him crying her eyes out and he had not one word of comfort to offer. All he could think about was the fact that Hermione must be furious. They had already ended their last date on a bad note, and now he had just gone and made it all worse with cryptic messages. But, what was he supposed to say?

Hey doll, I’m just heading out to go take care of the bastard child my father had a role in putting into the womb of your best friend. Wish you were here!

Draco sighed and looked at Ginny. Bad timing; she was blowing her nose rather loudly in his handkerchief. He looked away hastily and made a mental note to buy a new one.

“So Ginny, are you ready to head out to the hospital so we can..err…take care of this problem?” Draco asked, admittedly not as subtly as he would have liked. Ginny looked up sharply, wiping her eyes with the back of her palm.

“What do you mean take care?”

“Well, I…well…you……you must want to get…umm…back to normal…...right?” Draco mumbled. Ginny’s blanched and turned away.

“I can’t take an innocent life.”

“Ok great let’s head out-wait a minute- WHAT?”

Ginny straightened up in her chair and for the first time since the rape she looked Draco straight in the eye.

“As long as I live, so will this baby.”