If This Were A Normal Day...

Chapter 15
Let the Healing Begin

Draco had been seated in the common room ever since they had returned from the Hospital Wing. Merlin only knows how many hours had passed and he was growing quite tired. He stood up from the couch and turned to head into his bedroom when the fearful shrieks of Hermione’s nightmares echoed from the other room.

He bit his bottom lip in thought.

“Should I go in there?” he said to himself. This one sounded particularly nasty.

“I mean, I was planning to apologize tomorrow...” he thought.

He stood outside her portrait, still hesitating, but when he heard Hermione’s terrified voice cry

“No! Not my baby!” he dashed right in.

******************************

She was standing in the shower, washing her hair when she felt a slight thud between her legs, like a bubble bursting. Blood began to flow freely down her thighs along with clumps of rich, dark red material. The pain was almost unbearable.

She stumbled out of the shower, the blood spilling onto the ground as she walked. She banged on Draco’s portrait, but got no response. She staggered her way out into the hall way and began grabbing random, faceless strangers.

“Please!” She begged. “My baby! I need help!”

But the strangers ignored her, shrugging her off and hurrying onward down the hall.

“Hermione!” Draco shouted. “Hermione! Wake up!”

She was crying hysterically. He pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair.

“It’s okay..” he whispered. “Its all okay.”

“The baby..” she choked out through heavy tears. “I was bleeding....no one would help me...”

“Shhhh....” he cooed to her. “You’re okay and the baby is okay.”

After several moments of cuddling in his strong embrace, Hermione noticed exactly what was going on here. Draco, the man who had been giving her the cold shoulder for the past month, was cradling her in his arms.

She didn’t move, nor did she fight.

Hermione sighed deeply and nestled her face into his chest.

*****************

Draco felt better than he had felt in days. They were like two enter-locking puzzle pieces, fitting perfectly together on her bed.

Hermione slowly lifted her head. Her face was red and tear-stained.

“Does this mean we’re ok?” she asked, her eyes searching for any sign of reassurance.

“Yea baby,” he whispered. “but I still wanna talk in the morning.”

She nodded and wrapped her arms around him again.

Draco scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to his bedroom. From the look on her face, he could tell she was quite pleased to be allowed back in there.

Honestly, he couldn’t believe he’d actually barred her in the first place.

It had been just as hard for him as it had been for her.

He laid her down on the bed and crawled in beside her, pulling her close. He inhaled the smell of her hair and smiled.

They soon drifted off and for the first night in ages, they both got a good nights sleep.

***********************************

Hermione woke to the feeling of soft kisses on her lower abdomen.

She smiled, but didn’t open her eyes. She just lay there taking in the feeling that she had so terribly missed.

Draco noticed her smile.

“Hey..” he said.

She opened her eyes and looked down at him.

“Hey..” she said. “What are you doing?” she asked curiously.

“Just having a conversation with my son.” he replied happily.

“Son..hmm...what an odd thing to call a girl?” she grinned at him.

He picked up a nearby pillow and playfully whacked her on the head.

“So you seen it yesterday, huh?” she asked quietly.

“Yea, I did.” he replied simply, laying his head on her tummy.

“Why didn’t you come over?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I guess I thought you were still mad.” He shrugged.

Hermione sighed.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Yes actually, I think I am.” she laughed.

“Wanna walk down to breakfast?” he smiled.

Hermione snuggled deep into the pillows and blankets.

“No...I’m really comfortable right now.”

“Ok..” Draco said, jumping off the bed. “I’ll brave the Hall and go get us something.”

Before she could reply, Draco was off the bed and out the door.

*****************************

When Draco entered the Great Hall, many heads turned to look at him. He shot them a dirty look and they quickly returned to their plates.

He sat down at the Slytherin table.

“How’s it going?” Blaise asked.

“Better.” he replied simply and began loading plates.

He heard Pansy snort from a few seats down.

“Problem, Parkinson?” Draco asked, not even giving her the courtesy of looking in her direction.

“No, I’m not the one with the problem. You are.” she stated, wiping her mouth with her napkin.

He walked over and stood behind her chair.

She must have felt his presence and turned around to look at him.

“And what, exactly, is my problem?” he asked calmly, but dangerously.

Pansy smirked.

“Your problem, exactly,” she added raising her eyebrow. “is that mudblood bitch you’ve been fucking up in your bedroom and that vile piece of trash she\'s carrying inside her.”

In one swift movement, Draco grabbed Pansy by the front of the robes, lifting her off the ground to meet him eye-level.

There was a mixture of shock and fear in her eyes, followed by a smirk as she glanced up at the Faculty Table.

“Go ahead..” she whispered. “Have one of your famous temper tantrums. Won’t you have some explaining to do?”

Draco looked up as well. He seen the teachers looking curiously at the display.

He shoved Pansy away from him in disgust, before grabbing the plates with what little food they had on them and storming out of the Hall.

***********

Hermione heard him enter the common room and spit his password at the portrait.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, concerned.

“Fucking Pansy.” was all he replied.

“Oh.” Hermione didn’t really want to push the issue further. He looked slightly volatile.

She picked up her food and began to eat slowly, for fear of upsetting her stomach.

She looked up at Draco. He was sitting there, sulking angrily. His arms were folded across his chest and he was staring off into space. Hermione took a deep breath.

“You know...” she began. “You really shouldn’t let what Pansy thinks bother you. I mean, who cares, right?” she added gently.

He looked over at her out of the corner of his eye, before dropping his arms.

“I guess you’re right.” he grumbled.

“Eat, you’ll feel better.” she smiled at him.

He reluctantly took his plate and began to eat slowly.

They were both startled by a knock at Draco’s bedroom door.

“Mr. Malfoy,” McGonagall’s stern voice called from outside. “May I speak with you a moment?”